PALESTINIAN PERSPECTIVE ON LEBANON WAR

The War in Lebanon from the Palestinian Perspective - Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook
During the Israel-Hizballah war in Lebanon, Palestinian society expressed three recurring reactions: profound identification with Hizballah, celebration of both the perceived Hizballah victory and the humiliation of Israel, and seeing Hizballah tactics as a role model for the Palestinians. Two-thirds of Palestinians said they wanted "Hizballah alone to handle the negotiations over the [three Israeli] soldiers," even though one was kidnapped by Palestinians and is being held in Gaza. The Palestinians put more trust in Nasrallah to succeed on their behalf than their own leaders.

Palestinians see the war as a turning point in which the "resistance" to Israel proved its ability, from which the Palestinians will now learn. There has been much detailed discussion in the Palestinian media about tactics and strategies that the Palestinians must implement, including analyses of Hizballah's fighting methods. (Palestinian Media Watch)

SEE ALSO: Palestinians Aim to Learn from Hizballah - Joshua Mitnick (Washington Times)
Gunmen from the militant Palestinian Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade say they envy Hizballah even as they despair of their own inability to defeat Israeli forces. "Even though we feel our capabilities are depleted...[and] our generation feels a little demoralized, the next generations will not stop," said gunman Abu Ameed, who used a nickname for fear of arrest by the Israeli military. Israeli officials and analysts have expressed concern that Palestinian militants will try to replicate Hizballah's tactics and "Lebanonize" areas such as the Gaza Strip by smuggling advanced weapons and building bunkers. "In Lebanon the resistance is united," Ameed said. "But here everyone started to look out for themselves."