Israel troops may 'have to re-enter' Lebanon

The Shiite militant group Hezbollah, apparently the destination for the arms shipment targeted by two Israeli air raids in 48 hours inside Syria, is a staunch ally of Iran, that oversaw its creation in 1982, and the Syrian regime, one of its key military backers.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Saturday appointed Major General Benny Gantz as Israel's next armed forces chief of staff.Gantz's appointment follows months of infighting among the high command.Barak said he had Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's backing to promote Gantz to head Israel's military, to succeed General Gabi Ashkenazi on February 14.The decision was taken for "the urgent need at this time to dispel the uncertainties surrounding the appointment of a chief of general staff," he said, referring to tensions in the Middle East, notably Egypt's uprising.

A October car bombing that killed Lebanon's police chief hinted that the Syrian civil war had spilled over into the neighboring country, but now it appears to be official.

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Israeli forces have shot down a Hezbollah drone over Israeli skies, the Associated Press reports. This is not the first time Israel shot down a Hezbollah drone, they had to target one over their skies on October 6 of last year.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday named his candidate to head Israel's military, after weeks of media speculation over a "war of the generals" to succeed Gabi Ashkenazi as chief of staff.General Yoav Galant, the army's commander for southern Israel, has been chosen as chief of staff and Barak will submit his name for cabinet approval next week, the defence ministry said.The general, whose command covered the Gaza Strip, oversaw the devastating December 2008-January 2009 war in Gaza that cost the lives of 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.