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|commander2=[[Hassan Nasrallah]]<br> [[Michel Sulaiman]]
|commander2=[[Hassan Nasrallah]]<br> [[Michel Sulaiman]]
|casualties1= 12 civilians killed<br> 500 civilians injured <ref>{{cite news | title=500 Israelis injured since fighting began| date=[[2006-07-16]]| publisher=[[ynetnews]]| url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3276249,00.html}}</ref><br/>12 soldiers killed<br /> 6 soldiers wounded<ref name="haaretz3">{{cite news|title=Hezbollah kills 8 soldiers, kidnaps two in offensive on northern border|date=[[2006-07-13]]|publisher=[[Haaretz]]|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/737825.html}}</ref><br />2 soldiers abducted<ref name=haaretz3 /><ref name=reuters1>{{cite news|title=Israel calls Hizbollah abduction of soldiers act of war|date=[[2006-07-12]]|publisher=[[Reuters]]|url= http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-07-12T115735Z_01_L11538533_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST.xml}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=8 soldiers killed in attack|date=[[2006-07-12]]|publisher=[[Drudge Report]]|
|casualties1= 12 civilians killed<br> 500 civilians injured <ref>{{cite news | title=500 Israelis injured since fighting began| date=[[2006-07-16]]| publisher=[[ynetnews]]| url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3276249,00.html}}</ref><br/>12 soldiers killed<br /> 6 soldiers wounded<ref name="haaretz3">{{cite news|title=Hezbollah kills 8 soldiers, kidnaps two in offensive on northern border|date=[[2006-07-13]]|publisher=[[Haaretz]]|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/737825.html}}</ref><br />2 soldiers abducted<ref name=haaretz3 /><ref name=reuters1>{{cite news|title=Israel calls Hizbollah abduction of soldiers act of war|date=[[2006-07-12]]|publisher=[[Reuters]]|url= http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-07-12T115735Z_01_L11538533_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST.xml}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=8 soldiers killed in attack|date=[[2006-07-12]]|publisher=[[Drudge Report]]|
url=http://www.drudgereport.com/flash3is.htm}}</ref><br />1 warship damaged<br />1 tank destroyed<ref name="haaretz4">{{cite news | title=IDF releases names of two reserve soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah| date=[[2006-07-13]]| publisher=[[Haaretz]]| url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/738310.html}}}</ref><br />(Israeli media accounts)
url=http://www.drudgereport.com/flash3is.htm}}</ref><ref name="haaretz4">{{cite news | title=IDF releases names of two reserve soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah| date=[[2006-07-13]]| publisher=[[Haaretz]]| url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/738310.html}}}</ref><br />(Israeli media accounts)
|casualties2= 99 Lebanese killed<ref name=CNN4>{{cite news|title=Israel Pounds Beirut after Haifa Hit by Rockets| date=[[2006-07-17]]|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/16/mideast/index.html}}</ref><br />262 Lebanese wounded<br />3 soldiers killed<br>(Lebanese government accounts)<ref name=CNN4>{{cite news | title= Israel pounds Beirut after Haifa hit by rockets| date=[[2006-07-17]]| publisher=[[CNN]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/16/mideast/index.html}}</ref>
|casualties2= 99 Lebanese killed<ref name=CNN4>{{cite news|title=Israel Pounds Beirut after Haifa Hit by Rockets| date=[[2006-07-17]]|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/16/mideast/index.html}}</ref><br />262 Lebanese wounded<br />3 soldiers killed<br>(Lebanese government accounts)<ref name=CNN4>{{cite news | title= Israel pounds Beirut after Haifa hit by rockets| date=[[2006-07-17]]| publisher=[[CNN]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/16/mideast/index.html}}</ref>
}}
}}
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A report in [[Al-Hayat]] on [[15 July]] mentioned rumours in Washington, D.C. of an [[Israel]]i ultimatum to [[Syria]] to stop [[Hezbollah|Hezbollah's]] activity along [[Israel]]i border, and force the release of the two abducted Israeli soldiers in 72 hours, or it would face serious consequences.<ref>{{ar icon}} {{cite news|title= The Pentagon does not rule out Israel striking "vital targets" in Syria|date=[[2006-07-15]]|publisher=[[Al-Hayat]]|http://www.daralhayat.com/world_news/americas/07-2006/Item-20060714-6ec278d0-c0a8-10ed-01ce-4de861deeb16/story.html}}</ref> Al-Hayat's source refused to confirm or deny the rumours.
A report in [[Al-Hayat]] on [[15 July]] mentioned rumours in Washington, D.C. of an [[Israel]]i ultimatum to [[Syria]] to stop [[Hezbollah|Hezbollah's]] activity along [[Israel]]i border, and force the release of the two abducted Israeli soldiers in 72 hours, or it would face serious consequences.<ref>{{ar icon}} {{cite news|title= The Pentagon does not rule out Israel striking "vital targets" in Syria|date=[[2006-07-15]]|publisher=[[Al-Hayat]]|http://www.daralhayat.com/world_news/americas/07-2006/Item-20060714-6ec278d0-c0a8-10ed-01ce-4de861deeb16/story.html}}</ref> Al-Hayat's source refused to confirm or deny the rumours.


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."
The report said "a senior Pentagon source warned that should the Arab world and international community fail in the efforts to convince Syria to pr

Al-Hayat quoted the source as saying that "the US cannot rule out the possibility of an Israeli strike in Syria."

On [[15 July]] in response to the report of an Israeli ultimatum, an officer with the [[Israel Defence Force]] stated that it wouldn't be right to bring Syria into the campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/738315.html|title=IDF officer: Israel has no plans to attack Syria|date=[[2006-07-15]]|accessdate=2006-07-15|publisher=[[Haaretz]]}}</ref>

==International reaction==
{{main|International reaction to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon crisis}}
International reaction to the crisis for the most part has condemned both [[Hezbollah]] and [[Israel]], with many nations expressing concern over a possible escalation of the conflict <ref>[http://www.forbes.com/business/energy/feeds/ap/2006/07/13/ap2877289.html Developments in Israel-Lebanon Crisis]</ref>. Some nations and organizations (including the [[G8]]<ref>{{cite news|title=G8 says Israel has right to self-defence|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1684083.htm}}</ref>, the [[United States]]<ref>{{cite news|title=President Bush and German Chancellor Merkel Participate in Press Availability|date=[[2006-07-13]]|accessdate=2006-07-15|publisher= [[The White House]]|author=[[White House Press Secretary|Office of the Press Secretary]]|url= http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060713-4.html}}</ref>, [[United Kingdom]], [[Germany]] and [[Canada]]) have asserted Israel's right to [[self-defense]] whilst urging restraint, other states such as [[Syria]], [[Morocco]] and [[Yemen]], have given support to Lebanon and Hezbollah<ref>[http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1181183.php/%A0Arabs_divided_over_Hezbollahs_role_in_Lebanon_crisis Arabs divided over Hezbollah's role in Lebanon crisis] - Deutsche Presse-Agentur - [[15 July]] [[2006]]</ref>. The Arab League "condemns the Israeli aggression in Lebanon which contradicts all international law and regulations". [[Jordan]], [[Egypt]] and [[Saudi Arabia]] also criticised [[Hezbollah]] for harming Arab interests<ref>{{cite news|title=World divided over Mideast conflict
|date=[[2006-07-16]]|accessdate=2006-07-16|publisher=Al Jazeera.net|author=Al Jazeera|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/1286D3D8-282D-48CE-B072-06064738C824.ht}}</ref>. Several representatives from the United Nations were sent to the conflict zone to evaluate the situation.

On [[15 July]] President Bush called upon Syria to exert its influence over Hezbollah militants to get them to "lay down their arms". On [[16 July]] British Prime Minister Tony Blair blamed Iran and Syria for the flare-up in the Middle East <ref>{{cite news|title=Iran and Syria to blame, says Blair|date=[[2006-07-16]]|accessdate=2006-07-16|publisher=Guardian.co.uk|author=The Guardian|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-5954077,00.html}}</ref>. As civillian death toll rises, U.S president rejected calls for a ceasefire stating only that "Israel should try to limit civilian casualties as it steps attack[...]" <ref>http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2193506 </ref>. Russian President, Vladimir Putin called on Israel to show restraint <ref>{{cite news|title=World divided over Mideast conflict
|date=[[2006-07-16]]|accessdate=2006-07-16|publisher=Al Jazeera.net|author=Al Jazeera|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/1286D3D8-282D-48CE-B072-06064738C824.ht}}</ref> and showed complicity over broad range of global and regional issues including "Israel's right to defend itself while exercising the right to defend itself, be mindful of the strategic and humanitarian consequences of its actions"<ref>{{cite news|title=G8 declaration on Middle East|url=http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/21.html}}</ref>

On [[15 July]] the United States sent a security team to [[Beirut]] in an effort to begin planning to evacuate American citizens from [[Lebanon]] to [[Cyprus]].<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Embassy to Evacuate Americans From Lebanon|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203783,00.html}}</ref>

On [[16 July]] there were reports that Italy was attempting to broker an agreement between Israel and Lebanon. The Israelis would agree to a cease-fire immediately with 2 conditions: 1) The return of the two soldiers abducted on [[12 July]]. 2) The Army/Government of Lebanon would have to ensure that Hezbollah would pull back to the [[Litani River]]. <ref>{{cite news|title=Israel sends instructions to Lebanon through Italy
|date=[[2006-07-16]]|accessdate=2006-07-16|publisher=Jerusalem Post|author=AP|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150886016168&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull}}</ref>

On [[16 July]] Lebanese special envoy to the UN, Nouhad Mahmoud, accused the United States of obstructing a Security Council statement calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. <ref>{{cite news|title=Lebanon blames US for UN silence
|date=[[2006-07-16]]|accessdate=2006-07-16|publisher=Al Jazeera|author=Al Jazeera.net|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/6C062C97-F8D0-42B9-89A1-1C4D6963D512.htm}}</ref>

==Analysis==

* [http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/14/146258 Noam Chomsky on Hezbollah's "Very Irresponsible Act"] - [[Noam Chomsky]]
* [http://www.obelus.org/index.php?artID=21 Dangerous Escalation: Israel's Lebanon Blockade ]
* [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/27EDF072-1581-48CE-812D-A34D7C89A333.htm Factfile: Hezbollah ]

==References==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
<references /></div>

{{Arab-Israeli Conflict}}

[[Category:2006]]
[[Category:Arab-Israeli conflict]]
[[Category:Battles of Israel]]
[[Category:Hezbollah]]
[[Category:History of Israel]]
[[Category:History of Lebanon]]
[[Category:History of Syria]]
[[Category:Israel Defense Forces Operations|Just Reward]]

[[ar:الأزمة اللبنانية الإسرائيلية 2006]]
[[da:Israelsk-libanesiske krise 2006]]
[[de:Israel-Libanon-Krise 2006]]
[[es:Crisis israelo-libanesa de 2006]]
[[fi:Israelin–Libanonin konflikti 2006]]
[[fr:Crise israélo-libanaise de 2006]]
[[he:מבצע שינוי כיוון]]
[[nl:Israëlisch-Libanese crisis van 2006]]
[[no:Israel–Libanon-krisen 2006]]
[[pl:Kryzys izraelsko-libański 2006]]
[[ru:Израильско-ливанский кризис (2006)]]
[[tr:2006 İsrail-Lübnan Krizi]]
[[yi:שכר הולם]]
[[zh:2006年以黎危機]]

Revision as of 21:46, 16 July 2006

2006 Israel-Lebanon crisis
Part of the 2006 Arab-Israeli conflict
File:54454.jpg
IDF artillery fired into Southern Lebanon.
Date12 July 2006 – present
Location
Result Conflict ongoing
Belligerents
Israel Israel File:Flag of Hezbollah.svg Hezbollah
Lebanon Lebanon
Commanders and leaders
Dan Halutz (Chief of Staff)
Udi Adam (Regional)
Hassan Nasrallah
Michel Sulaiman
Casualties and losses
12 civilians killed
500 civilians injured [1]
12 soldiers killed
6 soldiers wounded[2]
2 soldiers abducted[2][3][4][5]
(Israeli media accounts)
99 Lebanese killed[6]
262 Lebanese wounded
3 soldiers killed
(Lebanese government accounts)[6]

The 2006 Israel-Lebanon crisis is a series of military actions, predominantly in Lebanon and northern Israel. On 12 July 2006, Hezbollah initiated their Operation True Promise, named after Hezbollah's promise to free prisoners in Israeli jails; [7] Israel then responded with Operation Just Reward.[8]

Hezbollah's military wing staged a cross-border attack on two Israeli Humvees. The attacks came two weeks after the beginning of the Gaza-focused Operation Summer Rains. Three Israeli soldiers were killed and two were abducted. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a military offensive into Lebanon. In the following days, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah increased to a point of both parties exchanging tough rhetoric and escalating into deadly military campaigns. On 12 July Israel called the abductions an "act of war" warranting a "severe and harsh response" and threatened to "turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years."[9] Israel proceeded by destroying energy and transportation infrastructure throughout Lebanon, focusing on highway infrastructure it believes are used to transport the missiles launched from southern Lebanon toward Israeli civilian population centers. After several days of Israeli attacks Hezbollah declared an "open war".[10]

Historical background

Lebanon gained independence in 1942, and French troops withdrew in 1945. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, Lebanon became home to more than 110,000 Palestinian refugees who had fled from Israel. The Lebanese Civil War lasted from 1975 to 1990. Syrian troops occupied northern Lebanon from 1976 until 2005.

In 1978, as a response to PLO raids, Israel invaded Lebanon and occupied the southern part of the country, resulting in the United Nations passing UN Resolutions 425 and 426, which called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to military action in Lebanon.[11]

Israel again invaded Lebanon in 1982 citing the attempted assassination of its ambassador to the United Kingdom Shlomo Argov, and occupied southern Lebanon until 2000. During this 18-year period, Israeli troops were involved to varying degrees in a number of incidents, most notably the Qana shelling[12] and the Sabra and Shatila Massacre which was carried out by Lebanese Maronite Christian militias[13]. The war ended with an exodus of Palestinian forces from Lebanon to Algeria.

Since that time, Hezbollah's military wing has set up bases of operation along the Israeli border in Lebanon. In 2004 a new Security Council resolution was issued, Security Council resolution 1559 which calls for the disbanding of any armed militias operating in the area, with Lebanon being required to disband Hezbollah. Hezbollah has repeatedly launched attacks on Israeli forces in the Shebaa Farms area, a territory which the United Nations Security Council has ruled is an occupied territory of Syria, and not part of Lebanon.[14][15] Israel has carried out numerous attacks aimed at striking Hezbollah bases, whilst Hezbollah has fired mortar rockets into Israel (see: Hezbollah activities).[16][17][18][19][20]

Hezbollah

Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shi'a Muslim organization "inspired by the success of the Iranian Revolution" and "was formed primarily to offer resistance to the Israeli occupation." Hezbollah's political platform has consistently called for the destruction of Israel.[21] "The United States and Israel say that Hezbollah is given financial and political assistance, as well as weapons and training, from Iran and Syria. Syria says it supports Hezbollah, but denies supplying it with weapons."[22] Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by Israel[23] and the United States[24]. The European Union does not consider Hezbollah a "terrorist organization", but does support measures aimed at ending their "terrorist activities"[25]. It has a military and civilian wing, the latter participating in the Lebanese parliament, taking 18% of the chairs (23 out of 128) and the bloc it forms with others a little more than twenty percent[citation needed]. It is a minority partner in the current Cabinet.

Previous prisoners exchange

During an attack in October 2000 on Shebaa Farms, small area of land claimed by Hezbollah but acknowledged by the United Nations as outside Lebanon[citation needed], Hezbollah abducted three IDF soldiers who were killed either during the operation or in its immediate aftermath[citation needed]. Hezbollah sought to obtain the release of 14 Lebanese prisoners in exchange, together with Palestinian prisoners[citation needed]. The prisoner swap was carried out on January 29: 30 Lebanese and Arab prisoners, the remains of 60 Lebanese militants and civilians, 420 Palestinian prisoners, and maps showing Israeli mines in South Lebanon were exchanged for an Israeli businessman and army reserve colonel Elchanan Tenenbaum abducted in 2001 in a business trip, and the remains of the three IDF soldiers mentioned above[citation needed]. Three Lebanese nationals are still held in Israel's prisons (including Samir Kuntar, held in jail since his conviction in 1979 on charges of murder and terrorism, for killing two Israeli civilians and two Israeli policemen)[citation needed].

Current conflict

Hezbollah raid

At 9:05 AM local time on 12 July 2006[2] Hezbollah's military wing launched a barrage of 9K51 Grad rockets[citation needed] and mortars on Israeli towns and military positions along the Lebanese border, apparently as a diversion.[26] A force of infiltrators then moved 200 meters into Israel, attacked two armoured IDF Humvees patrolling the border near the Israeli village of Zar'it with anti-tank rockets[citation needed], killing three soldiers and taking the remaining two in captivity to Lebanon's territory. Hezbollah has named this operation "True Promise."

The IDF confirmed that two Israeli soldiers were abducted by Hezbollah, and identified them as Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. An Israeli Merkava Mark II tank was damaged by a 300 kg improvised explosive device as it attempted to pursue Hezbollah into Lebanon. All four of the crew members were killed. Another Israeli soldier was killed when he came under heavy fire during an attempted recovery of the bodies from the tank.[5] In all, 8 soldiers were killed, 2 abducted and 5 wounded.[2]

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said that a prisoner exchange was the only way to secure the release of the soldiers.[27]

Israeli response

Israel retaliated with air strikes, carried out by the Israeli Air Force (IAF), destroying bridges and civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The television channel Al-Manar, classified by the United States as one of the "media arms of the Hizballah terrorist network",[28] has reported a total 55 civilians were killed. [29]

An unnamed senior IDF officer was quoted as saying that the strike was targeted against rocket launch sites and rocket storerooms, although many of them were intentionally located by Hezbollah in population centers.[30][31] An unnamed Lebanese official responded that "Hezbollah did not store arms in civilian areas.” [31] Airstrikes were also carried out against outposts of Hezbollah.[32] Israel has named the overall operation "Just Reward."

File:54368.jpg
Israeli Navy sailors survey the coast of Lebanon from the Israeli naval blockade.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the attack by Hezbollah's military wing an "act of war" and promised Lebanon a "very painful and far-reaching response." Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz also said[32] that "the State of Israel sees itself free to use all measures that it finds it needs, and the [Israeli Forces] have been given orders in that direction." Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said "If the soldiers are not returned we will turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years." As of 15 July, it has not been confirmed if the two abducted soldiers (Israel's casus belli for invading Lebanon) are in fact still alive and within the Lebanese borders.

Israel called up reserve troops, signaling a large-scale campaign, as operations continue in an attempt to free a soldier abducted by Hamas in Gaza. Israel sent troops and tanks into southern Lebanon, and the Israeli cabinet met at 7 PM Local Time, 4 PM UTC, Noon Eastern Time, 12 July 2006.[32]

Hezbollah declared an all-out military alert, and said it had 13,000 rockets capable of hitting towns and installations far into northern Israel. As a result, Defense Minister Peretz told commanders to prepare civil defense plans.[33][34]

Early on 13 July 2006 Israel sent IDF jets to bomb Lebanon's international airport near Beirut, forcing its closure and diverting its arriving flights to Cyprus. Israel also targeted Hezbollah's al-Manar television station, but Hezbollah continued transmission from another location. Hezbollah retaliated by bombarding the Israeli towns of Nahariya and Safed, as well as villages nearby, with 9K51 Grad rockets. The attacks killed two civilians and wounded 29 more.[35] Nahariya residents began leaving the city en masse in fear of further Katyusha attacks.[36]Israel is now imposing an air and sea blockade on Lebanon, [37][38] and has bombed the main Beirut-Damascus highway.

Israel's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mark Regev claims the Hezbollah unit that abducted the two soldiers are trying to transfer them to Iran. However, the spokesman did not disclose his source.[39]

Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam of the Northern Command, says Israel has not ruled out sending ground forces into Lebanon.[40]

Residents of Haifa, Israel, are reportedly being ordered into bomb shelters;[41] an estimated 220,000 people across northern Israel have gone into shelters.[42]

Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz has declared martial law throughout north Israel.[43]

On 15 July 2006, three Patriot anti-ballistic missiles were deployed in Haifa. These are aimed at intercepting missiles launched at Haifa. The last time Patriot missiles were deployed to the region was in 2003, during the Iraq War.[44]

On 16 July Sky News reported that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was wounded in a morning airstrike on his Beirut compound, though Hezbollah affiliated sources have denied the reports as propaganda.[45]

Haifa suffered an attack on 16 July, and as a result 8 civilians were killed and dozens injured.

Attacks on Lebanon

Lebanese security officials say Israeli attacks have killed 90 civilians, three soldiers and three members of Hezbollah, and wounded 262.[6] Twelve members of one Lebanese family died when Israeli planes bombed their home in the Lebanese village of Zibqine, near Tyre. In Dweir, a small village near Nabatiye, Israeli planes dropped a bomb onto the home of a local Shia Muslim cleric, killing him, his wife and eight of his children. Another family from that same village was also reported to have lost seven members following an Israeli bomb.[46][47] Israel intensified its response on Lebanon by attacking the Beirut International Airport and damaging three runways.[48] Israel announced that it imposed an air, land and naval blockade on Lebanon. Israel attacked Hezbollah's TV station Al-Manar and radio station Al-Nour in Haret Hreyk (Harat Hurayk), a southern suburb of Beirut, and in Baalbeck. On 13 July, Israeli warplanes bombed the road to Damascus, the capital of Syria.[49]

Map of conflict as of 14 July 2006.

Israeli jets attacked two Lebanese military air bases, destroying runways (allegedly used by the Hezbollah to transfer supplies). Attacks against the Rayak air base in the eastern Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border and the Qulayaat military airport (also known as Kleyate or Rene Mouawad airport) in northern Lebanon were the first attacks against Lebanon's army in the conflict.[50][51][52][53]

Israel has now attacked Beirut's international airport four times and has destroyed the airport fuel depots. Israel has also neutralised the third and final military airport by bombing its runways.[53][54][55] On July 15th, Israel attacked commercial ports in the towns of Beirut and Tripoli, as well as ports in Jounieh and Amsheet, two predominantly Christian towns. [56]

Israeli planes have struck a bridge in a suburb south of Beirut, a place highly valued by Hezbollah. They also struck a power plant's fuel storage south of Beirut (but did not destroy the plant itself). People living in this region heard at least three strikes. No casualties have been reported yet.[57]

According to the BBC, Lebanese police also reported an Israeli air strike early on Friday on a pro-Syrian Palestinian group in eastern Lebanon. The base of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command is less than two kilometres from the Syrian border.[58]

News services report that three explosions have been heard in Beirut. Hezbollah TV reports that the airstrike destroyed a building containing the headquarters of Hezbollah, with Hezbollah's chief, Hassan Nasrallah, likely inside. He was not harmed, however, and has since released a videotape.[59][60][61]

A witness reported that at least 15 Lebanese villagers, including 9 women and children, were killed on 15 July in an Israeli air strike on vehicles fleeing a village in southern Lebanon. The convoy left the border village of Marwahin, was refused asylum in a U.N. base and afterwards it was attacked. [62] It is also reported that some hours before the strike, Israeli forces had told the inhabitants of the village to evacuate by loudspeaker.[63][64]

On 16 July Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Lebanese military sources stated that Israeli forces had used white phosphorus incendiary bombs against civilian targets. .[65] This claim has not been verified.

Attacks on Israel

Besides the initial raid, Hezbollah militants targeted several Israeli towns with 9K51 Grad rockets and there have been civilian injuries, as well as a 40-year-old woman who was killed in Nahariya, a 33-year-old man who died of his wounds in Safed, and a five year old and his grandmother who were killed in Meron.[66][67][68]

Hezbollah had threatened to hit the city Haifa, "if the southern suburbs and the city of Beirut are subjected to any direct Israeli aggression". Two rockets hit Haifa, hours after the threat.[69] Hezbollah denied firing any rockets at the city.[70][71] IDF sources have reported that two rockets were fired from inside Lebanon.[72][55][70] The attack is the first time rockets have hit so far south into Israel. One shock injury had been reported from these initial attacks on Haifa.[55] Although later attacks (see below) on Haifa would claim several lives.

Map showing Israeli localities attacked by rockets from Hezbollah

There have been reports that the missile fired at Haifa was a Fajr 7, supplied by Iran, and possibly even launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. These missiles have a range of approximately 75 km.[citation needed] Another source has confirmed that Israeli military sources say the rockets fired into Israel were at least made in Iran.[73]

The Jerusalem Post reported that an attempt by a group of Hezbollah members to enter Israel was stopped by IDF on 14 July.[74]

Some 220,000 Israeli civilians spent Thursday night in bomb shelters, after two civilians were killed in rocket attacks.[42] 14 Israelis remain hospitalized following Thursday's rocket attacks. [75]

On 14 July Hezbollah launched about 100 Katyusha rockets on Israeli towns of Nahariya, Safed, Hatzor HaGlilit, Rosh Pina, Kiryat Shmona, and Karmiel, and in the agricultural settlements Mattat, Sasa, Peki'in, Beit Jan, Biria, Biranit, Kabri, Gesher Haziv, Saar and Ben Ami, resulting in 30 injuries. [67][76] Late the same day, a Katyusha in Meron killed two people, a grandmother and her 5-year-old grandson.

File:54449.jpg
The Sa'ar 5-class missile boat INS Hanit after being hit by Hezbollah missile.

Also on 14 July, the Israeli Sa'ar 5-class missile boat INS Hanit that was blockading the waters, 10 nautical miles off of the Lebanese coast was severely damaged in the stern after being hit by a Chinese-designed C-802 (Yingji-82) anti-ship missile. Early on there were mistaken reports that it had been hit by an unmanned aerial vehicle packed with explosives. [77] [1][2], [3] [78]Israel immediately recovered one sailor's body, and three more were found Sunday.[79][80]

Further to the attack on Israeli boats, an Egyptian civilian merchant ship was hit by a Hezbollah rocket on 14 July. [81] The ship was registered in Cambodia, but sailing under Egyptian flag, carrying several hundred tons of cement. The ship sank in minutes, but the egyptian crew managed to board lifeboats and were picked up by another civilian vessel.

On the afternoon of 15 July Hezbollah attacks extended further south, with Katyusha rockets hitting Tiberias, 35 km south of the Israeli-Lebanon border.[82]

As of 10:30 pm local time on July 15, Israeli news media reported that a total of 761 rockets had been launched into northern Israel [citation needed].

On the morning of 16 July several barrages of Katyusha missles hit the northern cities of Haifa, Acre, and Nahariya, and explosions were also heard in Rosh Hanikra. Eight were killed in Haifa, and several were seriously wounded when unguided missiles hit a railway maintenance depot.[83] Al-Manar has reported that the Hezbollah missile attack included a Fajr-3 and a Ra'ad 1 liquid-fuel missile, developed by Iran.[84] Hezbollah claimed the attack was aimed at a large israeli fuel storage plant adjacent to the railway facility. Photo of the area, with oil drums and smoke raising from the railway depot. Rockets also hit the villages of Shetula and Zar'it, the site of the original Hezbollah attack. Additional barrages hit the Israeli Arab town of Rajar and kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch as well as striking Meron and Safed again, all with no injuries.[85] [86] On Sunday evening Hezbollah militants attempted to infiltrate an Israel Defense Forces post on the Lebanese border at Avivim near Kiryat Shemona; the infiltrator was killed amid a heavy gun battle.[87]

Rockets hit the cities of Nazareth and Afula on 16 July, but no casualties were inflicted.

Casualties

Israeli: Twelve Israeli soldiers were killed, two abducted, and six more wounded.[2] 12 civilians have been killed, Eight in the Haifa region on 16 July, and another 500 civilians were injured, 56 seriously.[88] The INS Hanit was fired upon and heavily damaged. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz confirms 4 sailors dead.[89]

Lebanese: Three Hezbollah members have been killed as well as three soldiers in the Lebanese army.[90] According to Lebanese officials, 141 Lebanese people have been killed and another 262 Lebanese have been wounded as of 17 July.[91]


Foreign nationals:

  • The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry has reported that two Kuwaiti nationals have been killed by Israeli bombing.[92]
  • A family of four Brazilians, including two children, was killed in the Israeli bombings in Srifa,[93] drawing condemnation from foreign relations minister Celso Amorim.[94]
  • Four members of a German-Lebanese family, including 2 minors, from Mönchengladbach, Germany were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Chehour in southern Lebanon while on vacation.[95] [96]
  • An Argentinian woman died in a rocket attack on Nahariya, Israel.[97]
  • 8 Canadians were killed during an Israeli airstrike on Aitaroun in South Lebanon on 16 July.[98]

Possible expansion and resolution

There are concerns of escalation. According to Professor Gerald Steinberg, a Senior Research Associate at the pro-Israeli Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, "Israel may have to take alarming force as an outcome of the latest attacks, which may even result in the disarming of the Hezbollah," and that "Lebanon continues to allow these terrorist activities to take place within its borders and therefore the Lebanese government plays a key role in the reoccurrence of these events."[99]

DEBKAfile, a Jerusalem based website, has reported that Iranian national security advisor and senior nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani flew to Damascus. According to the report, he will remain there for the duration of the crisis in line with an Iranian-Syrian mutual defense pact, and would deem any attack on Syria an assault on Iran. DEBKAfile also reports that Hezbollah "acted on orders from Tehran to open a second front against Israel, partly to ease IDF military pressure on the Hamas in the Gaza Strip". According to DEBKAfile, Iran is also taking up this action to divert attention at the upcoming G8 summit away from the Iranian nuclear crisis, and onto this flare-up instead. Finally, they report that both Syrian and Iranian armed forces have been brought to a state of high alert.[100]

Meanwhile, Israel has issued a warning to people living in a Shi’ite neighbourhood in southern Beirut, the Lebanese capital, telling them to leave.[4] It considers the area a Hezbollah base of operations.

As Hezbollah operates freely along the border with Israel and is a member of the elected government, Israel held the whole Lebanese government accountable and targeted strategic locations throughout the country.

According to Israel Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev, Hezbollah is attempting to transfer the abducted soldiers to Iran. Regev has not disclosed the source of this information.[101] But an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman denied the accusation, calling it "simply nonsense."[102]

The situation is further complicated by the thousands of foreign nationals who are stranded in the country. Although at least 15,000 tourists and Lebanese citizens fled via road into Syria on 13 July, an Israeli strike on that road has now made travel into or out of the country much more difficult.

On 14 July Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert outlined three conditions for the Israeli operation to end: full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 calling for the disarming of Hezbollah, an end to rocket attacks from Lebanon on Israeli towns, and the return of the two abducted soldiers.[103]

Also on 14 July Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said that Hezbollah is ready for "open war" with Israel.[104] In addition, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, warned Israel of a "fierce response" if it attacks Syria. [105]

Again on 14 July the ruling party in Syria, Baath, said that Syria fully backs Hezbollah against the "barbaric Israeli aggression".[106]

A report in Al-Hayat on 15 July mentioned rumours in Washington, D.C. of an Israeli ultimatum to Syria to stop Hezbollah's activity along Israeli border, and force the release of the two abducted Israeli soldiers in 72 hours, or it would face serious consequences.[107] Al-Hayat's source refused to confirm or deny the rumours.

The report said "a senior Pentagon source warned that should the Arab world and international community fail in the efforts to convince Syria to pr

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