We have published articles on both sides of the question, and the argument is far from settled. But the latest evidence includes  this remarkable statement from Nasrallah himself,

"We did not think, even one percent, that the capture would lead to a war at this time and of this magnitude," Nasrallah told Lebanon's New TV network. "You ask me, if I had known on July 11 ... that the operation would lead to such a war, would I do it? I say no, absolutely not, for humanitarian, moral, social, security, military and political reasons. Neither I, Hezbollah, prisoners in Israeli jails nor the families of the prisoners would accept it."

The MSM instructed us during and immediately after the war that Israel, not Hezb'allah, was being blamed by the Lebanese for the destruction. However, one must suspect that Hezb'allah staged no only photographs but also interviews. And, of course, it would not be very healthy for a Lebanese man in the street to blame Hezb'allah speaking to a journalist accompanied by a Hezbo minder.

"Experts" and even at least one Lebanese official see Lebanese blaming Hezbo.

"Hezbollah has received so much blame for having provoked this Israeli onslaught," said Amal Saad—Ghorayeb, a leading Lebanese expert on Hezbollah. "The less negative impact would be to say, `Of course, we wouldn't have done it if we had known.'"

and

Lebanon's Christian tourism minister, Joe Sarkis, a frequent Hezbollah critic, called the Shiite leader's words an admission of guilt.

"It confirms that what they did was wrong," Sarkis said. "He feels that although he has the support of Hezbollah loyalists he has lost the support of most of the Lebanese. He is now trying to prepare himself and his movement to go from a military organization to a political organization."

Hat tip: Paul Shlichta

Thomas Lifson   8 28 06