Click photo to play
Length: 2:50
WOLF BLITZER: Let's go to
our reporter, Michael Ware. He's on the scene in
Beirut.
And I'll begin with this question, Michael. It looks
like the Israelis sense they have a clock ticking.
They may have a few days, maybe a week, maybe a
little bit more to do as much damage to Hezbollah as
possible. I assume that's what Lebanese officials are
bracing for?
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf, that
would be right. I mean, we saw today that the Israeli
military said that they would like another month to
pursue their objectives.
What we're seeing now, according to Lebanese security
sources, is a major Israeli operation in this
northeastern town, Baalbeck, a known Hezbollah
stronghold. Potentially one of the command and
control centers.
What these Lebanese sources are telling us is that
there's Israeli air activity, both helicopter and
fixed wing. They're also confirming that 10
kilometers north of this town, Israeli troops are on
the ground and firing.
So that's what we're seeing. This is the most daring
strike by Israeli ground forces. It's certainly the
deepest they've penetrated into Lebanese territory to
the north. This is about 140 kilometers from the
Israeli border -- Wolf.
BLITZER: The Israelis, Michael, have made no secret
that one of their goals is to try to kill the
leadership of Hezbollah, including Hassan Nasrallah,
the overall leader of Hezbollah, to decapitate, if
you will, this organization. Is there a sense in
Beirut right now that this may be -- may be --
Israel's objective in going after these targets in
Baalbeck, not far from the Syrian border?
WARE: Well, that's certainly one of the potential
targets. Here in Beirut it's late at night, as you
pointed out. It's midnight here, so most people are
hunkered down in their homes waiting for the expiry
of the Israeli announcement that they would suspend
airstrikes.
So, we have two hours until the skies are clear for
Israeli jets once more. So there's not much reaction,
of course, on the street.
But I think it's evident to say that this is an
operation to strike at the heart of Hezbollah's
leadership and command and control. This is one of
their strongest safe-holds, or so we're told, and
this is certainly far from the Israeli border. So
this is very much targeting that leadership.
The question is, even if you take out Hassan
Nasrallah, what will that do? There is some -- some
-- suspicion that that could see the organization
fall into some confusion. However, I would suspect
that they are prepared for any kind of loss -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Michael Ware in Beirut.
Thanks very much.