Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday told the Parliament (Knesset) Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Hizbullah has more rockets today than it did prior to the last summer war. According to Haaretz, Barak was referring to both long-range and short-range rockets. He added the rockets are situated north of the Litani River, but within striking range of Israel.
In regard to the tense situation between Israel and Syria, Barak said that he can sense that the tension is beginning to dissipate. Barak told the panel that he can see "similarities between the young Assad and his father ." The paper quoted the Israeli minister as saying: "It appears that Israel's tireless efforts to calm Syrian fears of an imminent conflict have finally taken effect, and now the Syrians view Israel as less aggressive."
