Officials underestimated Hezbollah's arsenal size

WASHINGTON — New postwar intelligence indicates Hezbollah had broader access to sophisticated weaponry than was publicly known — including large numbers of medium-range rockets made in Syria, according to U.S. and Israeli government officials and military analysts.

The size of the Hezbollah arsenal and the direct role of Syria in supplying it will complicate the already daunting task of keeping Hezbollah from fully rearming, the officials said.

Before the war, Hezbollah's access to weapons supplied by Iran and shipped through other countries was well-documented. So, too, was Syria's role in allowing transshipments of arms into Lebanon from Iran and its political support for Hezbollah. But official Washington believed Syria mostly was not supplying munitions directly.

The new weapons data indicating a broader Syrian role was gathered by Israel largely by examining debris left by shells that hit its land during the monthlong combat. The examination uncovered serial numbers and other defining characteristics of the weapons Hezbollah fired.

The disclosures dovetail with postwar diplomatic strategies. Israel, backed by the Bush administration, would like to see international peacekeepers deployed along the Syria-Lebanon border — a step it says is needed to prevent arms shipments to Hezbollah. Lebanon has resisted that idea, as have the Syrians.

Syrian officials would not confirm or deny the reports.

Israel on Wednesday rejected demands from visiting U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan that it lift its sea and air blockade of Lebanon and withdraw its forces once international troops are deployed.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert indicated Israel would only allow free movement after the full implementation of a U.N.-brokered cease-fire that ended 34 days of fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas that killed 854 Lebanese and 159 Israelis.

Under the truce, 15,000 Lebanese soldiers and 15,000 international troops are to be deployed in southern Lebanon.

Later, in a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Annan said Israel also must lift its closure of the Gaza Strip and open crossing points there.

Fighting intensified between Gaza rebels and Israeli troops searching for smuggling tunnels and explosives. At least eight Palestinians were killed in air strikes and gunbattles near Gaza City.

The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began July 12 when Hezbollah guerrillas crossed into Israel and attacked an army patrol, killing three soldiers and capturing two others. Israel has rejected calls for a prisoner swap to secure their freedom.

A third Israeli soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, was seized by Hamas militants in late June.

Veteran civil-rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Wednesday in Jerusalem that he was convinced talks between Israel and the Islamic groups holding the three soldiers could bring their release.

Jackson spoke after earlier meetings with government officials and rebel leaders in Syria and Lebanon.