Battle of Bint Jbeil

Battle of Bint Jbeil
Part of 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
Date July 25 - July 29 2006 Location Bint Jbeil, Southern Lebanon Result Both sides claim victory
Belligerents
Israel Defense Forces	Hezbollah
Strength
Unknown	100-200
Casualties and losses
8 killed, 22 wounded [1] Hezbollah claims: 18 killed. [2]	12 killed Hezbollah claims to have suffered 12 Israel claims 50+ confirmed Hezbollah fighters killed

The Battle of Bint Jbeil started on July 25 2006, when Israeli Defense Forces attempted to take the town it regarded as a "Hezbollah stronghold". Heavy gun battles between soldiers from the Golani Brigade and Hezbollah guerrillas took place. Some of the shooting was taking place at point-blank range, in homes, and in courtyards.

The battle

The firefight began early in the morning when two companies, A and C, began advancing down one of Bint Jbeil's streets on parallel routes. Contrary to previous reports, the Hezbollah fighters were not lying in ambush. "Both sides were unaware of each other and it was actually one of our soldiers who saw them first and opened fire." But the Hezbollah men were in upper stories of buildings and had a commanding view of the IDF force. In the initial firing, 30 members of C Company, a third of its total strength, were hit, as was the battalion's deputy commander, Maj. Roi Klein.

Most of the fighting took place at extremely short-range, sometimes only a few meters, with both sides using hand grenades and anti-tank missiles.

A company began laying down supporting fire to enable the remaining soldiers of C Company to evacuate their wounded while continuing to shoot at the enemy. Two additional Golani companies were rushed in to help with the evacuation. Hours later, IAF Blackhawk helicopters managed to land under heavy fire and fly the wounded to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.

"The battle began to their advantage. They were in a much better position, but we won and killed at least 20 Hezbollah fighters. None of the soldiers panicked, they were professional throughout, and that's our advantage over Hezbollah," an Israeli soldier said.

The commanders decided not to risk helicopters to evacuate the dead; they were carried out under cover of darkness by a company from the Golani Brigade's 12th Battalion.

On July 28, troops from the Paratroopers Brigade's 101 battallion exchanged fire with the Hezbollah and killed at least 20 fighters, according to Israeli sources.

On July 29, Israel Defense Forces troops pulled out of Bint Jbeil, after clashes with Hezbollah left 6 soldiers wounded and some 26 guerillas dead, according to the IDF. Armored forces continued to operate in the area, however.

Aftermath

Israel confirmed 8 of its soldiers died in the battle, Dozens of Golani Brigade soldiers were evacuated into Israel.
Israel claims to have killed over 50 Hezbollah millitants. Hezbollah though claims to have lost 32 in the entire conflict as of July 28 2006 and only 12 in Bint Jbeil

Hezbollah secretary Hassan Nasrallah said that Israel suffered a "serious defeat" in ground fighting around Bint Jbeil.

On July 30 it was reported that the IDF had effected a "withdrawal" from Bint Jbeil and that Hezbollah still held the area.

In the aftermath of the battle the majority of survivors are beleved to have fled the town, heading north to Syria. Hezbollah anticipating another attack is believed to have also used the period immediately following the Israel withdrawal to evacuate it’s equipment, leaders and ammunition from the beleaguered town.

External links

• 30 soldiers hurt in Bint Jbeil
• Heroism in the battle of Bint Jbail
• Eight IDF soldiers killed in bitter Bint Jbail fighting
• Invaders lose at least 8 as Bint Jbeil holds"
• One soldiers' account
• NY Times, For Israeli Unit, Hezbollah Lair Is Ambush Site