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2006 Lebanon War

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2006 Israel-Lebanon crisis
Part of the 2006 Arab-Israeli conflict
File:54454.jpg
An IDF M109 self-propelled howitzer fires into Southern Lebanon.
Date12 July 2006 – present
Location
Result Conflict ongoing
Belligerents
Israel Israel Lebanon File:Flag of Hezbollah.svg Hezbollah
Commanders and leaders
Dan Halutz (Chief of Staff)
Udi Adam (Regional)
Michel Sulaiman Hassan Nasrallah (Secretary General)
Casualties and losses
12 civilians killed
500 civilians injured [1]
12 soldiers killed
6 soldiers wounded[2]
2 soldiers captured[2][3][4]
1 warship damaged
1 tank destroyed[5]
(Israeli media accounts)

141 Lebanese civilians killed[6]
286 Lebanese injured[7]

11 soldiers killed
(Lebanese government accounts)[8]
Undisclosed number of Hezbollah militants killed (at least 9)

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; [9] Israel then responded with Operation Just Reward.[10]

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 captured. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a military offensive into Lebanon and destroyed infrastructures of ths country.[1] 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 captures an "act of war" warranting a "severe and harsh response" and threatened to "turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years."[11] Israel proceeded by destroying energy and transportation infrastructure throughout Lebanon, focusing on highway infrastructure initially claiming they were trying to prevent the kidnapped soldiers from being removed to Iran. Israeli sources later justified their assault on the infrastructure claiming the roads and airports 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".[12]

Historical background

Lebanon gained independence in 1942, and French troops withdrew in 1945. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Lebanon became home to more than 110,000 Palestinian refugees who had fled from Palestine. The Lebanese Civil War lasted from 1975 to 1990. Syrian troops stayed in 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.[13]

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[14] and the Sabra and Shatila Massacre which was carried out by Lebanese Maronite Christian militias[15]. The war ended with an exodus of PLO forces from Lebanon to several countries, mainly Tunisia[16].

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.[17][18] Israel has carried out numerous attacks aimed at striking Hezbollah bases, whilst Hezbollah has fired mortar rockets into Israel (see: Hezbollah activities).[19][20][21][22][23]

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.[24] "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."[25] Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by Israel[26] and the United States[27]. The European Union does not consider Hezbollah a "terrorist organization", but does support measures aimed at ending their "terrorist activities"[28]. 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, the "Resistance and Development Bloc", a little less than thirty percent for a total of 35 seats, (see Lebanese general election, 2005). It is a minority partner in the current Cabinet.

Previous prisoners exchange

During an attack in October 2000 on Shebaa Farms, a small area of land claimed by Hezbollah but acknowledged by the United Nations as outside Lebanon, Hezbollah captured three IDF soldiers who were killed either during the operation or in its immediate aftermath. Hezbollah sought to obtain the release of 14 Lebanese prisoners in exchange, together with Palestinian prisoners. The prisoner swap was carried out on January 29, 2004: 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 captured in 2001 in a business trip, and the remains of the three IDF soldiers mentioned above. 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).

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.[29] 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[30], 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 captured 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 captured 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.[31]

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 Hezbollah terrorist network",[32] has reported a total 55 civilians were killed. [33]

An unnamed senior IDF officer stated that the strike was targeted against rocket launch sites and rocket storerooms, although many of them were intentionally located by Hezbollah in population centers.[34][35] An unnamed Lebanese official responded that "Hezbollah did not store arms in civilian areas.” [35] Airstrikes were also carried out against outposts of Hezbollah.[36] Israel has named the overall operation "Just Reward."

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 Defence Minister Amir Peretz also said[36] 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." IDF 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 captured 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 captured 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.[36]

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

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, War Minister Peretz told commanders to prepare civil defense plans.[37][38]

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.[39] Nahariya residents began leaving the city en masse in fear of further Katyusha attacks.[40]Israel is now imposing an air and sea blockade on Lebanon, [41][42] and has bombed the main Beirut-Damascus highway.

Israel's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mark Regev claims the Hezbollah unit that captured the two soldiers are trying to transfer them to Iran. However, the spokesman did not disclose his source.[43]

Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam of the Northern Command, says Israel has not ruled out sending ground forces into Lebanon.[44]

Residents of Haifa, Israel, are reportedly being ordered into bomb shelters;[45] an estimated 220,000 people across northern Israel have gone into shelters.[46]

Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz has declared martial law throughout north Israel.[47]

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.[48]

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.[49]

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.[7] 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.[50][51] Israel intensified its response on Lebanon by attacking the Beirut International Airport and damaging three runways.[52] 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.[53]

Map of conflict as of 14 July 2006. In yellow is the Israeli blockade, in red area regions of active conflict.

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.[54][55][56][57]

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.[57][58][59] 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. [60]

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.[61]

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.[62]

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.[63][64][65]

A witness reported that at least 15 Lebanese villagers 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. [66] It is also reported that some hours before the strike, Israeli forces had told the inhabitants of the village to evacuate by loudspeaker.[67][68]

On July 16th, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Lebanese military sources stated that Israeli forces had used white phosphorus incendiary bombs against civilian targets.[69] 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.[70][71][72]

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.[73] Hezbollah denied firing any rockets at the city.[74][75] IDF sources have reported that two rockets were fired from inside Lebanon.[76][59][74] 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.[59] Although later attacks (see below) on Haifa would claim several lives.

Map showing Israeli localities attacked by rockets fired from Lebanon

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.[77]

The Jerusalem Post reported that an attempt by a group of Hezbollah members to enter Israel was stopped by IDF on 14 July.[78]

Some 220,000 Israeli civilians spent Thursday night in bomb shelters, after two civilians were killed in rocket attacks.[46] 14 Israelis remain hospitalized following Thursday's rocket attacks. [79]

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. [71][80] Late the same day, a Katyusha in Meron killed two people, a grandmother and her 5-year-old grandson.

File:Idf-saar5-hit3.jpg
The Sa'ar 5-class missile boat INS Hanit sailing back to Ashdod, Israel for repairs after being hit by a Hezbollah missile at its waterline, severely damaging the $260 million warship.

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. [81] [2][3], [4] [82]Israel immediately recovered one sailor's body, and three more were found Sunday.[83][84]

Further to the attack on Israeli boats, an Egyptian civilian merchant ship was hit by a Hezbollah rocket on 14 July. [85] 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.[86]

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.[87] Al-Manar has reported that the Hezbollah missile attack included a Fajr-3 and a Ra'ad 1 liquid-fuel missile, developed by Iran.[88] 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 rising 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 Ghajar and kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch as well as striking Meron and Safed again, all with no injuries.[89] [90] 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.[91]

Rockets also hit the Jezreel Valley cities of Upper Nazareth, Afula, and Migdal HaEmek for the first time on 16 July, but no casualties were inflicted.[92]

Casualties

Israeli: Twelve Israeli soldiers were killed, two captured, and six more wounded.[2] 12 civilians have been killed, Eight in Haifa city on 16 July, and another 500 civilians were injured, 56 seriously.[93] The INS Hanit was fired upon and heavily damaged. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz confirms 4 sailors dead.[94]

Lebanese: At least nine Hezbollah members have been killed as well as 11 soldiers in the Lebanese army.[8]
According to Lebanese officials, 140 Lebanese civilians have been killed and another 323 wounded as of 17 July.[8]

Foreign nationals:

  • The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry has reported that two Kuwaiti nationals have been killed by Israeli bombing.[95]
  • A family of four Brazilians, including two children, was killed in the Israeli bombings in Srifa,[96] drawing condemnation from foreign relations minister Celso Amorim.[97]
  • 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.[98] [99]
  • An Argentinian woman died in a rocket attack on Nahariya, Israel.[100]
  • Seven Canadians of a family with Lebanese origin were killed and 6 severely injured during an Israeli airstrike on Aitaroun in South Lebanon on 16 July.[101]

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."[102]

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.[103]

Meanwhile, Israel has issued a warning to people living in a Shi’ite neighbourhood in southern Beirut, the Lebanese capital, telling them to leave.[104] 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 captured soldiers to Iran. Regev has not disclosed the source of this information.[105] But an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman denied the accusation, calling it "simply nonsense."[106]

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 captured soldiers.[107]

Also on 14 July Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said that Hezbollah is ready for "open war" with Israel. In addition, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, warned Israel of a "fierce response" if it attacks Syria. [108]

Again on 14 July the ruling party in Syria, Baath, said that Syria fully backs Hezbollah against the "barbaric Israeli aggression".[109]

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 captured Israeli soldiers in 72 hours, or it would face serious consequences.[110] 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."

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.[111]

International reaction

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.[112] Some nations and organizations (including the G8,[113] the United States,[114] 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.[115] 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.[116] Several representatives from the United Nations were sent to the conflict zone to evaluate the situation.[citation needed]

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.[117] US President George W. Bush rejected calls for a ceasefire stating only that Israel should try to limit civilian casualties as it steps up attacks on its neighbor.[118] Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Israel to show restraint[119] and showed complicity over a 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."[120]

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.[121]

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 captured on 12 July. 2) The Army/Government of Lebanon would have to ensure that Hezbollah would pull back to the Litani River.[122]

On 16 July the 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.[123]


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  46. ^ a b "Hezbollah: We're Ready for 'Open War' With Israel". Fox News. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  47. ^ "Martial law declared in the North". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  48. ^ "3 Patriot batteries stationed in Haifa". Ynetnews. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ "Report: Nasrallah wounded; Hizbullah denies report". The Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  50. ^ Fisk, Robert (2006-07-14). "Slaughter of the innocent children". Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  51. ^ El Rafei, Raed (2006-07-14). "50 more civilians die as leaflets warn residents to avoid areas 'frequented by Hizbullah'". Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  52. ^ Ghattas, Sam F (2006-07-13). "Israeli warplanes attack Beirut airport". Associated Press. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  53. ^ Greenberg, Hanan (2006-07-14). "IDF bombs Hizbullah stronghold in Beirut". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  54. ^ "Brink of War: Lebanon Launches Retaliatory Assault on Israel". Fox News. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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  56. ^ "Israeli Warplanes Attack Beirut Airport". Associated Press. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ^ a b "IDF hits Lebanese army bases, won't rule out ground invasion". Haaretz. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  58. ^ "Rockets Hit Southern Israeli City in 'Major Escalation'". Fox News. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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  60. ^ "Israel kills 35 civilians in strikes on Lebanon". Reuters. Sat Jul 15, 6:02 PM ET. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  61. ^ "Israeli planes strike southern suburb of Beirut". MSNBC. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  62. ^ "Israel steps up Lebanese strikes". BBC News Online. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  63. ^ "Israeli ships, planes renew Beirut airport attacks". CNN. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  64. ^ "Israel Strikes Beirut; Hezbollah Barrages N. Israel With Rockets". Fox News. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  65. ^ "Israel destroys Hezbollah headquarters in south Beirut". Drudge Report. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  66. ^ Template:De icon "Zwölf Tote bei Angriff im Süden Libanons". Stern Online. Retrieved 2006-07-15.
  67. ^ "Bloodiest Day in Israel's War on Lebanon Kills Over a Dozen Civilians". Naharnet. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accesdate= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  68. ^ "Fleeing Lebanon villagers caught in Israeli inferno". Reuters. 2006-07-15. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  69. ^ "Lebanon under Israeli attack: Sunday Roundup". The Daily Star. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  70. ^ "Anxious northern Israel endures rocket fire". CNN. {{cite news}}: Text "date2006-07-14" ignored (help)
  71. ^ a b "Katyusha rockets hit Galilee". Ynetnews. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  72. ^ "Northern Israel under attack; missile fired at Haifa". Ynetnews. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  73. ^ "An Israeli sapper lifts the remains of a rocket that landed on mount Carmel in Israel's third largest city Haifa". Getty Images. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  74. ^ a b "Rockets hit Israeli city of Haifa". BBC News. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  75. ^ "Israel Wages War on Hezbollah as Jets Strike Airbase". Fox News. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  76. ^ "Brink of War: Lebanon Launches Retaliatory Assault on Israel". Fox News. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  77. ^ "Israeli ships, planes renew Beirut airport attacks". CNN. 2006-07-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  78. ^ "IDF forces foil infiltration attempt on northern border". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  79. ^ "14 people remain hospitalized in Ziv hospital in Safed". Ynetnews. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  80. ^ "Safed: Man seriously injured in Katyusha attack". Ynet. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  81. ^ "Hezbollah rockets kill 8 in Haifa". CNN. Retrieved 2006-06-15. {{cite news}}: Text "date2006-06-16" ignored (help)
  82. ^ "IDF confirms warship hit by explosive-laden UAV". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  83. ^ "Day-by-day: Lebanon crisis'". BBC. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  84. ^ "4 Israelis Missing After Warship Hit". Associated Press. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  85. ^ "Egypt confirms ship hit off Lebanon, crew safe". Reuters. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  86. ^ "Hezbollah Rockets Strike Israeli City". Washington Post. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  87. ^ "Hezbollah rockets kill 9 in Israeli city". Associated Press. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  88. ^ "Hizbullah: one of the rockets is a Ra'ad 1". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  89. ^ "Katyusha barrages hit Rajar village and Ma'ayan Baruch; no injuries". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  90. ^ "Rockets fired at Meron, Safed; no injuries". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  91. ^ "Terrorists infiltrate IDF post in Avivim; terrorist killed". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  92. ^ "Jezreel Valley under fire". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  93. ^ "500 Israelis injured since fighting began". Ynetnews. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  94. ^ "IDF finds bodies of missing sailors aboard damaged Navy ship". Haaretz. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  95. ^ "Israel targets Lebanese air bases, Kuwaiti nationals among dead and UN prepares envoy to Region". The Daily Star. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  96. ^ Template:Pt icon "Itamaraty confirma morte de brasileiros no Líbano". Globo. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  97. ^ Template:Es icon "IBrasil consternado por ataque que mató a cuatro brasileños en el Líbano". La Tercera. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  98. ^ Template:De icon "Deutsch-libanesische Familie umgekommen". Süddeutsche Zeitung. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  99. ^ Template:De icon "Urlauber getötet". n-tv.de. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  100. ^ Template:Es icon "Naharía, la ciudad del norte israelí donde una argentina murió bajo fuego de Hezbollah". Clarín. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  101. ^ "Canadian family with four children killed in Lebanon". Reuters. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  102. ^ "'Israel may have to take alarming force'". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  103. ^ "'Iran's national security adviser Ali Larijani flies to Damascus aboad special military plane Wednesday night as war tension builds up around Hezbollah capture of two Israeli soldiers'". DEBKAfile. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  104. ^ "Lebanon Appeals For Cease-Fire With Israel As Middle East Violence Escalates". MTV. 14 July 2006.
  105. ^ "Israel Claims Hundreds of Hits in Lebanon". Associated Press. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  106. ^ "Israel hits Hezbollah stronghold". BBC. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  107. ^ "Olmert orders new Lebanon strikes". BBC. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  108. ^ "Ahmadinejad: Israel would not dare to move against Iran". Haaretz. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  109. ^ "Syria says fully backs Hizbollah against Israel". Reuters. 2006-07-15. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  110. ^ Template:Ar icon "The Pentagon does not rule out Israel striking "vital targets" in Syria". Al-Hayat. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://www.daralhayat.com/world_news/americas/07-2006/Item-20060714-6ec278d0-c0a8-10ed-01ce-4de861deeb16/story.html" ignored (help)
  111. ^ "IDF officer: Israel has no plans to attack Syria". Haaretz. 2006-07-15. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  112. ^ Developments in Israel-Lebanon Crisis
  113. ^ "G8 says Israel has right to self-defence".
  114. ^ Office of the Press Secretary (2006-07-13). "President Bush and German Chancellor Merkel Participate in Press Availability". The White House. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  115. ^ Arabs divided over Hezbollah's role in Lebanon crisis - Deutsche Presse-Agentur - 15 July 2006
  116. ^ Al Jazeera (2006-07-16). "World divided over Mideast conflict". Al Jazeera.net. Retrieved 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  117. ^ The Guardian (2006-07-16). "Iran and Syria to blame, says Blair". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  118. ^ "Bush Rejects Lebanese Call for Cease-Fire". ABCnews. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  119. ^ Al Jazeera (2006-07-16). "World divided over Mideast conflict". Al Jazeera.net. Retrieved 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  120. ^ "G8 declaration on Middle East".
  121. ^ "U.S. Embassy to Evacuate Americans From Lebanon".
  122. ^ AP (2006-07-16). "Israel sends instructions to Lebanon through Italy". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  123. ^ Al Jazeera.net (2006-07-16). "Lebanon blames US for UN silence". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)