Tel Aviv, 2008 July 26, Qodsna

Former head of Israel's National Security Council (NSC) Giora Eiland said Tel Aviv cannot cope with Hezbollah's missile strength.

Hezbollah wields a large number of missiles of varying ranges, besides Israel could not halt the movement's rocket attacks even if it occupied the area between the Litani river (in southern Lebanon) and the Lebanese border, Major Gen. Giora Eiland said interview with Radio Tel-Aviv.

He criticized Tel Aviv officials for their efforts to picture Hezbollah as Israel's sole enemy in Lebanon, acknowledging that the the whole country was opposed to the regime.

Eiland said any Israeli offensive against the Islamic movement is destined to fail and that victory over a paramilitary group which enjoys people's full support at home is too difficult.

Israel cannot overcome Hezbollah as long as it is approved by both Lebanon's government and nation, he stressed.

NSC's ex-chief warned initiating a war against Lebanon would be more disastrous for Israel than the conflicts in the summer of 2006.