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The Real Bermuda Triangle: Finding a settlement between Israel, Syria and Lebanon

© lawhawk

The death of 73 Israeli soldiers in a midair collision between two helicopters traveling to the security zone in Lebanon has refocused attention on the continuing problems on Israel's northern border. The security zone was carved out of Southern Lebanon in an attempt to shield Northern Israeli settlements from a constant rain of missiles from Hezbullah guerillas in 1985. This came after Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 to eliminate the PLO presence. General Ariel Sharon, commander of the Israeli forces at the time, wanted to eliminate the PLO presence and his troops went as far as Beirut.

The Israeli military exacted terrible damage on Beirut, known as the Riviera of the Eastern Mediterranean. Thousands of Lebanese civilians were killed or displaced during the conflict and resulted in continued upheaval in the Lebanese society. General Sharon's troops were withdrawn from the Beirut vicinity but remained in the security zone in 1985 following much debate and worry about a continued presence in Lebanon. Israeli leaders believed that the security zone was the only way to prevent terrorist attacks on the northern settlements and allow swift reprisals on those who may try to commit acts of violence. However, that must be balanced by the constant military presence because since 1985, over 200 Israeli soldiers have been killed and it is unknown exactly how many Lebanese civilians, Hezbullah guerillas and others were killed in reprisals.

Having refocused their attentions on the problem in the North, Israeli officials now face several competing choices. They could simply withdraw from the security zone without any concessions from Syria whom Israel believes is sponsoring the guerillas and could force the guerillas into a cease-fire. This choice is least palatable to Israelis since they believe it isn't in Syria's interests to reduce the conflict in Lebanon since it improves their position with Israel on the Golan Heights negotiations.

A second choice would be to combine a pullback from the security zone with one from the Golan Heights following a comprehensive agreement with Syria to forge a lasting peace between those two countries. This is perhaps the most practical of the choices since it would bring peace to the entire Northern border but most Israelis do not support a withdrawal from the Golan Heights because of its strategic significance. There is also a great mistrust of Syria because Syria's President Assad has failed to make any concessions towards peace and has relied solely on an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights before recognizing Israel's right to exist.

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