Israeli ambassador says offensive could end if Hezbollah releases prisoners

WASHINGTON — Israel would be prepared to suspend its military operation in Lebanon if Hezbollah released two abducted Israeli solders, Ambassador Daniel Ayalon said Friday. But he said the militia might have to be "neutralized" first.

In an Associated Press interview, Ayalon said Israel had taken out 40 percent of Hezbollah's might, an operation that he said had been slowed by Israeli efforts not to hurt civilians or unnecessarily damage Lebanon's civilian infrastructure.

"The operation could be halted right away if we get the return of our soldiers," he said. "We do not seek a long campaign."

Assessing Hezbollah's strength, he said, "For the first time in history there's a terrorist group" with military forces stronger than those of many countries in the region.

And, he said, unlike Israel, Hezbollah is targeting civilians.

Ayalon said Israel would not strike deep into Lebanon with soldiers and tanks, concentrating instead on installations near its border.

Israel first must take out Hezbollah's command and control centers and weapons stockpiles before it can consider insertion of an international security force to stabilize the region.

He described the Israeli military effort as a "mop up" operation, and said that Israel had no desire to repeat its 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon that ended in 2000.

"They overplayed their hand, they miscalculated," Ayalon said of Hezbollah militants based in southern Lebanon and supported by Syria and Iran.

"This is a war not of our choosing," he said. "I do not see any Syria-Israel war or war with Iran at this point."