2006 Lebanon War

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Soul assassin~enwiki (talk | contribs) at 19:50, 12 July 2006. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

12 July 2006 clashes
File:54240.jpg
The Israeli Airforce strikes a position in southern Lebanon.
DateJuly 12, 2006 –
Location
Israel-Lebanon border
Result Conflict ongoing
Belligerents
Israel Defense Forces Hezbollah
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses

7 soldiers killed

2 soldiers captured [1]

1 guerrilla killed

2 civilians killed [2]

A border clash began between Israeli and Hezbollah forces stationed in Lebanon on July 12th, 2006. According to Hezbollah, 2 Israeli soldiers - Eyal Benin and Shani Tugerman were captured, 3 killed and 2 wounded in an attack. Hezbollah has declared an all-out military alert. [3] The IDF confirms that 2 Israeli soldiers are indeed missing, and their whereabouts are unknown. Hezbollah also destroyed an Israeli Merkava tank.

Israel retaliated with air strikes, carried out by the IAF, killing 2 civilians and wounding 5 others, and destroyed bridges, infrastructure and powerplants in south Lebanon. Another airstrike was carried out against outposts of the Hezbollah militants group. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the Hezbollah's attack an "act of war" by Lebanon and promised a "very painful and far-reaching response". Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz also said [4] 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 says "If the soldiers are not returned we will turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years,"

Israel has called up reserve troops, signaling a large-scale campaign, as operations continue to free a soldier seized by Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has now sent troops and tanks into southern Lebanon. The Israeli cabinet will meet at 7 PM Local Time, 4 PM UTC, Noon Eastern Time. [5]

There are concerns of escalation. According to Professor Gerald Steinberg, a Senior Research Associate at the Begin Sedat 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 Hizbullah," and that "Lebanon continues to allow these terrorist activities to take place within her borders and therefore the Lebanese government plays a key role in the reoccurrence of these events." [6]

International Reaction

United States

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Welch condems what he calls a "dangerous escalation" and calls for the release of the Israeli soldiers. [7] The United States has blamed Syria and Iran for the kidnapping of the two Israeli soilders. "We must hold the governments of Syria and Iran accountable for their continued support to Hezbollah. So long as these governments are failing to live up to their responsibilities, no one should question the right of the government of Israel to act in self-defense against terrorists operating from Lebanon," United States Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said. Bill Frist also said that the Lebanese government should uphold its responsibility under a U.N. resolution to make sure its teritory isn't being used for Hezbollah or other groups. [8][9] [10]

France

France's foreign minister says that "I am very concerned about the latest developments on the Israel-Lebanon border... I condemn the rocket strikes this (Wednesday) morning on the town of Qiryat Shemona. I also condemn the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers and I ask for their immediate and unconditional release... I call on all parties to show restraint and not engage in a cycle of violence in which civilian populations would be the first victims," [11]

Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi urged restraint and says for Israel not to seek "an eye for an eye," and "I understand the anger of the Israelis, but I hope you will not seek an eye for an eye and keep in mind the importance of peace." [12]

Arab League

The Arab League says they have “fears of widening of tension and possible Israeli strike against Syria,” “It’s up to the resistance — both the Lebanese and the Palestinian — to decide what they are doing and why are they fighting,” [13]

United Nations

The top U.N. official in Lebanon said "Hezbollah’s action escalates the already tense situation along the Blue Line and is an act of very dangerous proportions,” in a statement. [14]

References

  1. ^ "Israel calls Hizbollah capture of soldiers act of war". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Israel calls Hizbollah capture of soldiers act of war". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "US blames Iran, Syria for Hizbollah capture". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Israel sends tanks into Lebanon after Hezbollah attack". CNN. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Israeli troops enter Lebanon amid kidnap reports". CNN. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "'Israel may have to take alarming force'". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Israel calls Hizbollah capture of soldiers act of warreports". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "(no title)". Drudge Report. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite uses generic title (help)
  9. ^ "U.S. Blames Syria, Iran For Israeli Soldiers' Kidnapping". Fox News. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "US blames Iran, Syria for Hizbollah capture". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "France Condemns Israeli Attacks, Hezbollah Kidnapping". Fox News. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Japan's Koizumi Urges Israel Not to Seek 'Eye for Eye'". Fox News. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Israel launches offensive inside Lebanon". MSNBC. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Israel launches offensive inside Lebanon". MSNBC. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2006_Lebanon_War&oldid=63466614"