Sorry, Peace--Hezbollah is at least as much a social services organization as a terrorist group--and is seen by most poor Lebanese Shiites as the former--and a long-time bulwark against Israeli aggression. Israel's destruction of bridges, roads, the Beirut airport--and infrastructure all over Lebanon--("to stop resupply of Hezbollah")--and the accompanying "collateral damage"-- has done nothing but strengthen the perception of these--and other--Lebanese--that the strong bulwark is desperately needed.

The crowning irony, as I understand it, is that Olmert, having no military background, felt he had to raise the level of response to Hezbollah provocations in order to defuse right-wing political opponents--to be able to pursue his plan---of further Israeli unilateral withdrawals.

But by this stalemate he may well lose all political power.