Three papers comment on various aspects of the current crisis in Lebanon:
Yediot Aharonot says that "From now on, one must regard Lebanon as a powder-keg that is liable to explode and send fragments in all directions." The author cautions that "Lebanon being Lebanon, developments are liable to be unexpected and get out of control," and recommends that the IDF "remain on high alert along the northern border in the coming weeks." The paper suggests that "The current picture in Lebanon is Hizbullah exerting pressure which is liable to deteriorate into violence, topple the Hariri’s transitional government and quickly lead to a different government that would cut all ties to the international court and refuse to accept its conclusions." The authors notes that "The greatest surprise up to now, according to all experts, is the strong stand by [Saad] Hariri," and suggests that his supporters would not let him capitulate to Hizbullah even though they know that they cannot defeat it militarily, given that the Lebanese Army would likely fracture along ethnic lines should fighting break out.
Ma’ariv avers that "As things seem now, Nasrallah is not interested in an internal Lebanese clash," and adds that "Even less does he want a clash with Israel, which would be liable to get out of control." However, the author warns that "Both of these scenarios are apt to occur at later stages, for example, after the tribunal presents draft indictments against Hizbullah militants," but adds that "Even then there is a high probability that Hizbullah will begin a broad ‘popular protest’ and not a classic coup or additional war." The paper speculates that "The organization’s first goal is to delay publication of the [tribunal’s] conclusions and undermine the tribunal’s legitimacy in the eyes of the Lebanese; Hizbullah will do everything to realize this goal." The author says that if Lebanese President Suleiman cannot find an alternative candidate to form a government, Lebanon may face new elections in the shadow of the tribunal’s report, which Hizbullah would like to avoid.
Yisrael Hayom says that "It was clear to everyone that Hizbullah’s participation in the current Lebanese government was not designed to assist the functioning of Prime Minister Saad Hariri… or to provide stability to a system that is unacceptable to Hizbullah," and adds that "Hizbullah entered the government in order to realize one clear goal: Torpedo the activity of the international court that is examining the murder of Hariri senior in February 2005, whether it blames the Syrian patron or, in the end, accuses Hizbullah." The author suggests that all players in Lebanon are now waiting for the new diktat from Hizbullah Secy.-Gen. Hassan Nasrallah.
The Jerusalem Post harshly criticizes the plan concocted by the Ministry of Transport to add a changing-rate toll lane at the congested eastern entrance to Tel Aviv, at the expense of ordinary drivers who are being deprived of the use of part of a thoroughfare that is legally theirs, and states that "The exacerbated bumper-to-bumper crawl at the entrance to Tel Aviv this week dramatically attests to the dismal, predictable outcome of a convoluted, expensive and improperly authorized scheme."
Haaretz commends the four top Likud figures who stood their ground and opposed FM Avigdor Liberman’s proposal to create a parliamentary investigative committee to examine funding sources of human rights organizations that operate in Israel and in the territories, and states that "Their colleagues should adopt the moderates’ position, and scrap this disgraceful committee initiative."