2006年VOA标准英语-Israeli Cabinet Approves Military Action Agains

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
12 July 2006

Israel's Cabinet has approved military action in Lebanon in response to an attack by Islamic Hezbollah guerillas in which two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped. It was the second kidnapping of soldiers in two weeks, and Israel is trying to restore its deterrent¹ capability².

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Smoke rises from an Israeli air raid as Lebanese motorists speed away  
  
The Israeli Cabinet held an emergency meeting after the most serious attack by Hezbollah since Israel pulled out Lebanon six years ago.

Hezbollah guerillas ambushed³ an Israeli patrol on the Lebanese border and then an Israeli tank was blown up as it crossed into Lebanon to search for the two soldiers taken hostage. Eight soldiers were killed and Israel is furious.

Ehud Olmert  
  
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the attack was an act of war and there would be a painful response. Sources say the Cabinet approved air strikes against Hezbollah facilities and Lebanese infrastructure⁴, with the stated aim of removing the Hezbollah threat from the northern border.

"It must be clear, Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese government, they are part of the ruling coalition⁵ there, and the government of Lebanon is both responsible and accountable for what has happened," said Mark Regev. "This is an act of international aggression⁶ by one state against another," said Israeli spokesman Mark Regev. 
 

Hassan Nasrallah  
  
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the attack was justified⁷.

Nasrallah demanded that Israel open negotiations⁸ on a prisoner swap⁹. Israel refused, just as it has rejected Palestinian demands to release prisoners in exchange for a soldier kidnapped on the Gaza border two and a half weeks ago.

Israeli forces have been pounding Gaza since then, and now the conflict has spread to a second front in Lebanon.

1 deterrent   

n.阻碍物，制止物；adj.威慑的，遏制的

参考例句：

• Large fines act as a deterrent to motorists.高额罚款是对开车的人的制约。
• I put a net over my strawberries as a deterrent to the birds.我在草莓上罩了网，免得鸟歇上去。

2 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

3 ambushed   

v.埋伏( ambush的过去式和过去分词 )；埋伏着

参考例句：

• The general ambushed his troops in the dense woods. 将军把部队埋伏在浓密的树林里。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The military vehicles were ambushed. 军车遭到伏击。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

6 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。

7 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

8 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

9 swap   

n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易

参考例句：

• I will swap you my bicycle for your radio.我想拿我的自行车换你的收音机。
• This comic was a swap that I got from Nick.这本漫画书是我从尼克那里换来的。