JERUSALEM, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A senior Israeli defense official says Israel made a "screw-up" by allowing Hezbollah militants in Lebanon to build an arsenal unchallenged over six years.
In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, Uri Lubrani, an adviser to the defense minister, said intelligence officials were aware of Hezbollah's massing of missiles and arms from Iran since Israel pulled out of Lebanon six years ago, but did nothing.
"We let them put us to sleep for six years while they built up an arsenal," Lubrani said. "And we did nothing, not even diplomatically. That was our screw-up."
For the past 24 days, Hezbollah has been firing thousands of missiles into northern Israel as Israeli ground troops occupy southern Lebanon and the air force bombards Beirut.
Lubrani said after watching Hezbollah television broadcasts, he thinks the guerrilla group is hurting, but it is not yet showing signs of desperation.
"My sense is that they are feeling the pressure," Lubrani said. "I would consider a real sign of desperation if their supporters starting putting on frantic pressure at the U.N. for a cease-fire."
The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote on intervention measures Saturday.
