This story was first reported by YNETnews.com yesterday. Now the story is being picked up by other news organizations. Presumably, that means that they have obtained independent confirmation. If the story is true, we can expect an all-out regional war by Monday or Tuesday. From United Press International:

DAMASCUS, Syria, July 15 (UPI) — Israel has given Syria 72 hours to release two captured soldiers or face a possible offensive, Al-Hayat, the London-based Arabic newspaper, reported.

The report said “a senior Pentagon source warned that should the Arab world and international community fail in the efforts to convince Syria to pressure Hezbollah into releasing the soldiers and halt the current escalation, Israel may attack targets in the country,” YNETnews.com said.

Al-Hayat quoted a source as saying that “the U.S. cannot rule out the possibility of an Israeli strike in Syria.”

Yesterday, Syria’s ruling Ba’ath Party pledged to support Lebanon Hezbollah against Israel. Curiously absent since the conflict began however has been any statement by Syria’s young dictator, President Bashar Assad. That has changed within the past hour. From Reuters:

DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Syria will put its resources at the disposal of Lebanon to help cope with Israeli attacks devastating the country, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told Lebanese President Emile Lahoud by phone on Saturday.

The official news agency SANA said Assad expressed solidarity with Lebanon, where Israeli bombing has killed around 100 civilians since Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border operation on Wednesday.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

It was the first comment by Assad since the confrontation began between Israel and Hizbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran.

SANA did not say whether Assad discussed Hizbollah during the telephone call with Lahoud and gave no details on what kind of help he was offering.

The ruling Ba’ath Party said in a communique on Friday that Syria fully supports Hizbollah, although Washington has said Damascus must pressure Hizbollah to release the Israeli soldiers and stop its cross-border attacks.

Syria’s border crossings have become Lebanon’s only outlet to the world after Israel blockaded the country and attacked its airport and seaports.

Captain’s Quarters wondered yesterday whether the Ba’ath Party was bypassing President Bashar Assad and whether the young Assad really had control over his country. Today’s news indicates that, regardless of whether Bashar Assad is completely in control, he is in official agreement with the Ba’athists.

Several weeks ago, Israeli warplanes buzzed Assad’s palace, showing him that Israel controlled the skies of Syria. Assad has to know that if he brings Syria into the war, the next Israeli jets to buzz his palace will be dropping bombs.