Jump to content

2006 Lebanon War

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Cerejota (talk | contribs) at 19:06, 17 July 2006 (pov check stop vandalising). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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

197 civilians killed[7]
317 civilians injured[8]

11 soldiers killed
(Lebanese government accounts)[9]		 Undisclosed number of Hezbollah militants killed (at least 3)[citation needed]

The 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict is a series of military actions in Lebanon and northern Israel. On July 12 2006, Hezbollah initiated their Operation Truthful Promise[10]; Israel then responded with Operation Just Reward [11], later renamed Operation Change of Direction.[12].

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 whose objective was to free the soldier Gilad Shalit captured by local militants in an earlier cross-border attack organized by Hamas. Eight Israeli soldiers were killed and two were captured. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a military offensive into Lebanon and destroyed much of the civilian infrastructure of the country [13]. 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 July 12, Israeli military officials separately called the captures an "act of war" warranting a "severe and harsh response" and threatened to "turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years."[14] Israel proceeded by attacking Hezbollah targets as well as destroying energy and transportation infrastructure throughout Lebanon, focusing on highway infrastructure and initially claiming they were trying to prevent the captured soldiers from being removed to Iran.[citation needed] 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.[15]

Historical background

Lebanon gained independence in 1943, and French troops withdrew in 1946. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Lebanon became home to more than 110,000 Palestinian refugees who had fled from Palestine after the creation of Israel. The Lebanese Civil War lasted from 1975 to 1990. Syrian troops stayed in northern Lebanon from 1976 until 2005.

Israel bombed 13 of the Lebanese national air-fleet in December 1968. In April 1973 an Israeli commando unit, which included future Israeli Primer Minister Ehud Barak, raided Lebanon attacking the Palestine Liberation Organization. In 1978, as a response to PLO raids, Israel invaded Lebanon and with the support of Christian locals 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. Israel mostly complied in 2000.[16]

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 Massacre[17] and the Sabra and Shatila Massacre which the Israeli Kahan Commission ruled was carried out by Lebanese Maronite Christian militias[18] and named then Israeli Defence Minister (and future Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon, among several prominent Israelis, as bearing "personal responsibility" for the events.[19][20]. Despite the exodus of PLO forces from Lebanon to several countries, mainly Tunisia in 1982, Israeli forces remained in Lebanon until 2000 when they eventually left, following years of attacks on Israeli civilian targets and military installations by Hezbollah, a non-Palestinian, Shia organisation formed in the wake of the Israeli invasion of 1982.[21].

Since that time, Hezbollah's military wing has set up bases of operation along the Israeli border in Lebanon, near many Palestinian refugee camps. 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. The Lebanese Government, in an effort to avoid another devastating civil war, failed to act against 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.[22][23] Israel has carried out numerous attacks aimed at striking Hezbollah bases, whilst Hezbollah has fired mortar rockets into Israel (see: Hezbollah activities).[24][25][26][27][28]

Hezbollah

Main article: 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.[29] "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."[30] Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by Israel[31] and the United States[32]. The Netherlands makes a distinction between the military elements of Hezbollah, which it considers to be terrorist, and the civilian elements, which it does not[33]. The European Union as a whole does not consider Hezbollah a "terrorist organization" but does support measures aimed at disarming the militant group[34]. 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

See also: Timeline of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon crisis

Hezbollah raid

At 9:05 AM local time on July 12 2006[3] Hezbollah's military wing launched a barrage of 9K51 Grad rockets[citation needed] and mortars on Israeli military positions, apparently as a diversion.[35] A force of infiltrators then moved 200 meters into occupied Shebaa farms, attacked two armoured IDF Humvees patrolling the border on Shebaa farms near the Israeli village of Zar'it with anti-tank rockets[36], 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.[6] In all, 8 soldiers were killed, 2 captured and 5 wounded.[3]

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said that a prisoner exchange was the only way to secure the release of the soldiers.[37]

Hezbollah's arguments for raid and Lebanese government political reactions

In negotiations for the 2004 prisoner exchange, Hezbollah had sought the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel. While many were released, Hezbollah failed to achieve the release of Samir Kuntar[citation needed]. Having failed to achieve this objective, Hassan Nasrallah declared that the organization would carry out further operations at a later date to gain the release of the remaining prisoners[citation needed].

The Hezbollah leader later called for talks on prisoner exchange which was officially rejected by Olmert[citation needed]. However it is widely believed that negotiations are underway with Egypt as mediator[citation needed]. Israel said it held the Beirut government responsible for the attack, but Prime Minister Fuad Siniora denied any knowledge of the raid and stated that he did not condone it[citation needed]. An emergency meeting of the Lebanese government reaffirmed this position[citation needed]. Hezbollah's action aroused varying reactions among Lebanese political forces. It was harshly criticised by many members of the largely anti-Syrian parliamentary majority[citation needed], while Michel Aoun, despite his understanding with the party, declared that he supported the government's position[citation needed].

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",[38] has reported a total 55 civilians were killed. [39]

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 civilian population centers.[40][41] An unnamed Lebanese official responded that "Hezbollah did not store arms in civilian areas.” [41] Air strikes were also carried out against outposts of Hezbollah.[42] 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[42] 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, July 12 2006.[42]

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, Defense Minister Peretz told commanders to prepare civil defense plans.[43][44]

Early on July 13 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.[45] Nahariya residents began leaving the city en masse in fear of further Katyusha attacks.[46]Israel is now imposing an air and sea blockade on Lebanon, [47][48] and has bombed the main Beirut-Damascus highway.

Israel's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mark Regev claims the Hezbollah unit that captured the two soldiers is trying to transfer them to Iran. However, the spokesman did not disclose his source.[49]

Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam of the Northern Command, says Israel has not ruled out sending ground forces into Lebanon.[50]

Residents of Haifa, Israel, are reportedly being ordered into bomb shelters;[51] an estimated 220,000 people across northern Israel have gone into shelters.[52]

Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz has declared martial law throughout north Israel.[53]

On July 15 2006, three Patriot anti-ballistic missile batteries 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.[54] However, the Patriots are useless against the Katyusha rockets which have been fired from Lebanon.[55]

On July 16, Sky News reported that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was wounded in a morning air strike on his Beirut compound, though Hezbollah affiliated sources have denied the reports as propaganda.[56]

Haifa suffered an attack on July 16, resulting in 8 civilians killed and dozens injured.

Attacks on Lebanon

USA Today wrote: "Israelis have cheered the punishing counterattacks that have destroyed Lebanese infrastructure and killed more than 170 people, most of them civilians." [57] Twelve members of one Lebanese family were reported by Lebanese authorities to have been killed when Israeli planes bombed their home in the Lebanese village of Zibqine, near Tyre. According to the Lebanese government, 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.[58][59] Israel intensified its response on Lebanon by attacking the Beirut International Airport and damaging three runways.[60] 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 July 13, Israeli warplanes bombed the road to Damascus, the capital of Syria.[61]

Map of conflict as of July 14 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.[62][63][64][65]

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.[65][66][67] 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. [68]

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.[69]

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.[70]

News services report that three explosions have been heard in Beirut. Hezbollah TV reports that the air strike 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.[71][72][73]

A witness reported that at least 15 Lebanese villagers were killed on July 15 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. [74] It is also reported that some hours before the strike, Israeli forces had told the inhabitants of the village to evacuate by loudspeaker.[75][76]

On July 16th, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Lebanese military sources stated that Israeli forces had used white phosphorus incendiary bombs against civilian targets,[77] accusing Israel of using banned weapons against Lebanese civilians.[2][3] This claim has not been verified. A Lateline interview on Australia's ABC mentioned that jet fighters were dropping flares to shield from heat-seeking missiles; such flares would release white ash which could resemble white phosphorus.[citation needed] The same interviewee also personally witnessed an aircraft of some description crashing to the ground in Lebanon.

Some Israeli ground troops briefly made an incursion into Lebanon's southern portion with the intent of attacking Hezbollah bases on the border.[78]

Attacks on Israel

Besides the initial raid, Hezbollah militants targeted several Israeli towns with 9K51 Grad rockets and there have been civilian injuries, including a 40-year-old woman who was killed in Nahariya, according to Ynetnews, 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.[79][80][81]

But Nasrallah said "In the beginning, we started to act calmly, we focused on "Israel" (sic) military bases and we didn`t attack any settlement, However, since the first day, the enemy attacked Lebanese towns and murdered civilians... Hizbullah militants had destroyed military bases, while the "Israelis" killed civilians and targeted Lebanon`s infrastructure. He added that Hizbullah`s arsenal had yet to take a direct hit "and so far we have used a small portion of our weaponry."[4]

On July 14, the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, threatened the Israelis after Israeli attacks in Lebanon, "You wanted an open war, and we are heading for an open war. We are ready for it."[82]

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.[83] Hezbollah denied firing any rockets at the city.[84][85] IDF sources have reported that two rockets were fired from inside Lebanon.[86][67][84] 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.[67] Although later attacks (see below) on Haifa would claim several lives.

Map showing Israeli localities attacked by rockets fired from Lebanese soil

The Jerusalem Post reported that an attempt by a group of Hezbollah members to enter Israel was stopped by IDF on 14 July.[87]

Some 220,000 Israeli civilians spent Thursday night in bomb shelters, after two civilians were killed in rocket attacks.[52] 14 Israelis remain hospitalized following Thursday's rocket attacks. [88]

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. [80][89] 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 nearing Ashdod, Israel for repairs after being hit by a Hezbollah missile at its waterline, 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 critically damaged in the stern after being hit by a C-802 (Yingji-82) anti-ship missile. Various sources are reporting that the missile is Chinese-made while others report that it was Iranian-made, a charge which Iran denies.[90][91][92] It is known that China has provided Iran with this type of missile in the past.[93][94]

Early on there were mistaken reports that it had been hit by an unmanned aerial vehicle packed with explosives. [95] [96] [97] Israel immediately recovered one sailor's body, and three more were found Sunday.[98][99]

Further to the attack on Israeli boats, an Egyptian civilian merchant ship was hit by a Hezbollah rocket on 14 July. [100] 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 was picked up by another civilian vessel. One crewman, however, was seriously injured.[5]

On the afternoon of 15 July Hezbollah attacks extended further south, with Katyusha rockets hitting Tiberias, 35 km south of the Israeli-Lebanon border.[101]

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 rockets 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 rockets hit a railway maintenance depot.[102] Al-Manar has reported that the Hezbollah attack included a Fajr-3 and a Ra'ad 1 liquid-fuel artillery rocket, developed by Iran.[103] 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.[104] [105] 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.[106]

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.[107]

On July 17, 2006, three rounds of Hezbollah rockets struck the port city of Haifa, wounding two people and destroying a three-story residential building.[108]

Also on July 17, 2006, Rockets were also reported to have hit the town of Atlit, 35 miles south of the border and 5 miles south of Haifa. No injuries were reported. [109]

Casualties

Israeli: Twelve Israeli soldiers were killed, two captured, and six more wounded.[3] 12 civilians have been killed, Eight in Haifa city on 16 July, and another 500 civilians were injured, 56 seriously.[110] The INS Hanit was fired upon and heavily damaged. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz confirms 4 sailors dead.[111]

Lebanese: At least nine Hezbollah members have been killed as well as 11 soldiers in the Lebanese army.[citation needed][9]
Reuters reports that 169 Lebanese civilians have been killed and another 415 have been wounded.[7]
AFP reports the number of killed in the Israeli raids, as of 17 July, to be 195 civilians and 12 soldiers.[112]
BBC News reports the total killed, as of 17 July, to be "at least 150".[113]
CNN International cites Lebanese authorities as reporting about 130 total killed. [8]

Foreign nationals:

  • The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry has reported that two Kuwaiti nationals have been killed by Israeli bombing.[114]
  • A family of four Brazilians, including two children, was killed in the Israeli bombings in Srifa,[115] drawing condemnation from foreign relations minister Celso Amorim.[116]
  • 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.[117] [118]
  • An Argentinean woman died in a rocket attack on Nahariya, Israel.[119]
  • Seven Canadians, including four children, were killed and 6 severely injured by an Israeli attack on Aitaroun in South Lebanon on 16 July.[120]

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."[121]

DEBKAfile, an overtly pro-Israeli 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.[122]

Meanwhile, Israel has issued a warning to people living in a Shi’ite neighbourhood in southern Beirut, the Lebanese capital, telling them to leave.[123] 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.[124] But an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman denied the accusation, calling it "simply nonsense."[125]

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.

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. [126]

Again on 14 July the ruling party in Syria, Baath, said that Syria fully backs Hezbollah against the "barbaric Israeli aggression".[127]

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 the Israeli border, and force the release of the two captured Israeli soldiers in 72 hours, or it would face serious consequences.[128] 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.[129]

Proposed ceasefire

Almost immediately after hostilities began, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called for a ceasefire. On July 14, following a phone call between Siniora and President Bush, the Prime Minister's office issued the statement that "Prime Minister Siniora called on President Bush to exert all his efforts on Israel to stop its aggression on Lebanon, reach a comprehensive ceasefire and lift its blockade."[130]

The next day, in a televised message to the Lebanese people, and afterwards in an interview with CNN, he said "We call for an immediate ceasefire backed by the United Nations."[131]

Hezbollah has demanded that Israel trade three Lebanese prisoners for the two Israeli soldiers but Israel refused.[1]

On July 14, BBC News reported that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would agree to a ceasefire if Hezbollah returned the two captured soldiers, stopped firing rockets at Israel, and if Lebanon implemented UN Security Council resolution 1559, which calls for the group's disarmament.[132] Two days later, it was reported that Israel would agree to a ceasefire under two conditions: 1) The return of the two soldiers captured on 12 July and, 2) The Army/Government of Lebanon would have to ensure that Hezbollah would pull back to the Litani River.[133]

But on July 16, the Lebanese special envoy to the UN, Nouhad Mahmoud, claimed that the United States was obstructing the Security Council's attempt to broker a ceasefire.[134]

Indeed, Condoleezza Rice, speaking from St. Petersburg, Russia on July 16, seemed to oppose an immediate cessation of violence under Lebanon's terms, claiming that the ceasefire demanded by Siniora wouldn't work unless it addressed Hezbollah violence and the support it gets from Syria and Iran. She said, "What we really need is to concentrate on a way forward that is going to permit the cessation of violence which first of all will be sustainable, that we won't be back three weeks from now talking about getting another cessation of violence." She said the only way to deal with the problem is "to deal with the extremists, isolate the extremists, and put in place moderate democratic states".[135]


On July 17, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday the fighting in Lebanon would end when Hezbollah guerrillas freed two captured soldiers, rocket attacks on Israel stopped and the Lebanese army deployed along the border.[136]

International reaction

Main article: 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.[137] Some nations and organizations (including the G8,[138] the United States,[139] United Kingdom, Germany and Canada) have asserted Israel's right to self-defense whilst urging restraint. Bush supports the Israeli attacks and on July 13 said Israel has a right to defend itself. [6] On the other hand, a number of European countries criticize the Israeli offensive which they fear may lead to war. Jacques Chirac castigated the Israeli offensive into Lebanon on July 14. [7] The EU says Israel's use of force is disproportionate.[8] The Vatican also deplored the Israeli attack on Lebanon in an official statement on July 14 [9].

Other states such as Iran, Syria, Morocco and Yemen, have given support to Lebanon and Hezbollah.[140] The Arab League "condemns the Israeli aggression in Lebanon which contradicts all international law and regulations". However, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia also criticised Hezbollah for harming Arab interests.[141]

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.[134]

On 17 July UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and UK Prime Minister called for an international force to be sent to Lebanon to stop the attacks on Israel by Hezbollah. Mr Blair was quoted as saying that the force could "stop the bombardment coming over into Israel and therefore gives Israel a reason to stop its attacks on Hezbollah".[142]

References

  1. ^ a b "In Israel, fury mixed with fears". USA Today. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "500 Israelis injured since fighting began". ynetnews. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e "Hezbollah kills 8 soldiers, kidnaps two in offensive on northern border". Haaretz. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Israel calls Hizbollah capture of soldiers act of war". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "8 soldiers killed in attack". Drudge Report. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b "IDF releases names of two reserve soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah". Haaretz. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)}
  7. ^ a b "Israel pounds Lebanon". Reuters. 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b "Israel launches new strikes in Lebanon". CNN. 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b "Israel answers attack with lethal blows". Associated Press. 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Editorial; Lebanese brace for Israel's signature strategy: collective punishment. The Daily Star, July 13 2006. (ed. This is in reference to the Quran's 14:22 verse)
  11. ^ "Israel for rules change in south Lebanon". United Press International. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Israel to Lebanon: No to ceasefire". Ynetnews.com. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Israelis intensify bombardment of Lebanon's civilian infrastructure". Daily Star. 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Israel Authorizes 'Severe' Response to Abductions". CNN. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "Hezbollah Rockets Reach Deeper Into Israel". FOXNEWS. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Lebanon - UNIFIL - Background". United Nations. 2005. Retrieved 2006-07-14.
  17. ^ "Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab Territories, including Palestine". United Nations. United Nations Commission on Human Rights. 2004-03-11. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "Report of the Kahan Commission". Kahan Commission. February 8 1983. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ 104 Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the events at the refugee camps in Beirut- 8 February 1983, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 Feb 1983. Accessed 17 July 2006.
  20. ^ Kahan Commission (Hebrew), Israel Knesset, 2002. Accessed 17 July 2006.
  21. ^ "PLO leader forced from Beirut". BBC. 30 August 1982. Retrieved 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Press Release SC/6878". United Nations Security Council. 2000-06-18. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "Press Release SC/8299". United Nations Security Council. 2005-01-28. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "Israeli jets hit Lebanon targets". BBC News Online. 2004-01-20. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "Israeli jets attack south Lebanon". BBC News Online. 2005-11-22. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Israel hits back at Hezbollah". BBC News Online. 2005-04-05. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "Israeli jets hit deep in Lebanon". BBC News Online. 2004-06-07. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "Israeli planes attack in Lebanon". BBC News Online. 2005-12-28. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "Who are Hezbollah?". BBC News Online. 2002-04-04. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Hezbollah: Violence mixed with social mission". CNN. 2006-06-13. Retrieved 2006-06-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Summary of Terrorist Activity 2004". Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2005-01-05. Retrieved 2006-07-15.
  32. ^ "Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)". United States Department of State. 2005-10-11. Retrieved 2006-07-16. "Current List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations . . . 14. Hizballah (Party of God)".
  33. ^ "The Netherlands has changed its policy and no longer makes a distinction between the political and terrorist Hezbollah branches" (PDF). General Intelligence and Security Service of the Netherlands (AIVD) by fas.org. 2005-06-01. Retrieved 2006-07-17.
  34. ^ "European parliament calls for putting an end to Hizbullah terrorist acts". ArabicNews.com. 2005-03-11. Retrieved 2006-07-16.
  35. ^ "Clashes Spread to Lebanon as Hezbollah Raids Israel". The New York Times. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ "Israel Promises 'severe response' to Hezbollah". The Irish Times. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ "Reserve IDF division called up in wake of attack; Nasrallah: Prisoner swap only way to free soldiers". Haaretz. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ U.S. Department of the Treasury (2006). "U.S. Designates Al-Manar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Entity". U.S. Department of the Treasury.
  39. ^ "Roundup: Israel intensifies attacks on Lebanon, world calls for restraint". People's Daily Online. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ "IDF: If Hadera is hit we'll destroy Beirut buildings". Ynetnews. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ a b "IDF strikes Lebanon airfields". Ynetnews. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ a b c "Israel authorizes 'severe' response to abductions". CNN. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ^ "US blames Iran, Syria for Hizbollah capture". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  44. ^ "Israel battles militants on two fronts". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  45. ^ "Woman killed in Hizbullah attack in Nahariya". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. ^ "haaretz.com News Flash". Haaretz. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  47. ^ "Israel Imposing Blockade on Lebanon". Associated Press. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  48. ^ "Israeli woman killed in a 9K51 Grad rocket attack on Nahariya; IAF attacks Beirut airport, Hezbollah TV station". Haaretz. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ "Hizbullah wants soldiers moved to Iran". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  50. ^ "Iran denies Hizbullah moving captives". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  51. ^ "Haifa residents told to remain in protected areas". Ynetnews. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  52. ^ a b "Hezbollah: We're Ready for 'Open War' With Israel". Fox News. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  53. ^ "Martial law declared in the North". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  54. ^ "3 Patriot batteries stationed in Haifa". Ynetnews. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  55. ^ "IDF: Residents south of Haifa will have one-minute rocket warning". Haaretz. July 16 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  56. ^ "Report: Nasrallah wounded; Hizbullah denies report". The Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ^ "In Israel, fury mixed with fears". USAtoday. 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  58. ^ Fisk, Robert (2006-07-14). "Slaughter of the innocent children". Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  59. ^ 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)
  60. ^ Ghattas, Sam F (2006-07-13). "Israeli warplanes attack Beirut airport". Associated Press. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  61. ^ Greenberg, Hanan (2006-07-14). "IDF bombs Hizbullah stronghold in Beirut". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  62. ^ "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)
  63. ^ "IAF strikes Lebanese Air Force base". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  64. ^ "Israeli Warplanes Attack Beirut Airport". Associated Press. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  65. ^ 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)
  66. ^ "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)
  67. ^ a b c "Israel attacks Beirut airport after rockets hit Haifa". CNN. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  68. ^ "Israel kills 35 civilians in strikes on Lebanon". Reuters. July 15 2006 6:02 PM ET. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  69. ^ "Israeli planes strike southern suburb of Beirut". MSNBC. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  70. ^ "Israel steps up Lebanese strikes". BBC News Online. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  71. ^ "Israeli ships, planes renew Beirut airport attacks". CNN. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  72. ^ "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)
  73. ^ "Israel destroys Hezbollah headquarters in south Beirut". Drudge Report. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  74. ^ Template:De icon "Zwölf Tote bei Angriff im Süden Libanons". Stern Online. Retrieved 2006-07-15.
  75. ^ "Bloodiest Day in Israel's War on Lebanon Kills Over a Dozen Civilians". Naharnet. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accesdate= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  76. ^ "Fleeing Lebanon villagers caught in Israeli inferno". Reuters. 2006-07-15. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  77. ^ "Lebanon under Israeli attack: Sunday Roundup". The Daily Star. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  78. ^ "Israel Briefly Sends Troops Into Lebanon". WRAL. 2006-07-17. Retrieved 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  79. ^ "Anxious northern Israel endures rocket fire". CNN. {{cite news}}: Text "date2006-07-14" ignored (help)
  80. ^ a b "Katyusha rockets hit Galilee". Ynetnews. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  81. ^ "Northern Israel under attack; missile fired at Haifa". Ynetnews. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  82. ^ Ludden, Jennifer (2006-07-14). "Israeli Attacks Increase; Hezbollah Vows 'Open War'". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  83. ^ "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)
  84. ^ a b "Rockets hit Israeli city of Haifa". BBC News. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  85. ^ "Israel Wages War on Hezbollah as Jets Strike Airbase". Fox News. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  86. ^ "Brink of War: Lebanon Launches Retaliatory Assault on Israel". Fox News. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  87. ^ "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)
  88. ^ "14 people remain hospitalized in Ziv hospital in Safed". Ynetnews. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  89. ^ "Safed: Man seriously injured in Katyusha attack". Ynet. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  90. ^ "Israel Bombs Beirut in Night Attacks". KLTV. 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2006-06-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  91. ^ "Missing sailor's body recovered". ynet. 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2006-06-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  92. ^ "Hezbollah rockets kill 8 in Haifa". CNN. 2006-06-16. Retrieved 2006-06-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  93. ^ "Federation of American Scientists Missile Datasheet". Federation of American Scientists. 1999-08-10. Retrieved 2006-06-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  94. ^ "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Programs". Middle East Intelligence Bulletin. 2002-04. Retrieved 2006-06-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  95. ^ Template:He icon [1], ynetnews
  96. ^ "IDF confirms warship hit by explosive-laden UAV". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  97. ^ Israel Says Warship Attacked by Drone, AAP, 14 July, 2006
  98. ^ "Day-by-day: Lebanon crisis'". BBC. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  99. ^ "4 Israelis Missing After Warship Hit". Associated Press. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  100. ^ "Egypt confirms ship hit off Lebanon, crew safe". Reuters. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  101. ^ "Hezbollah Rockets Strike Israeli City". Washington Post. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  102. ^ "Hezbollah rockets kill 9 in Israeli city". Associated Press. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  103. ^ "Hizbullah: one of the rockets is a Ra'ad 1". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  104. ^ "Katyusha barrages hit Rajar village and Ma'ayan Baruch; no injuries". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  105. ^ "Rockets fired at Meron, Safed; no injuries". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  106. ^ "Terrorists infiltrate IDF post in Avivim; terrorist killed". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  107. ^ "Jezreel Valley under fire". Ynet. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  108. ^ "2 wounded in Hezbollah strike on Haifa". The News-Sentinel. 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  109. ^ "Israel hammers at Lebanese infrastructure". The Associated Press. {{cite news}}: Text "2006-07-17" ignored (help)
  110. ^ "500 Israelis injured since fighting began". Ynetnews. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  111. ^ "IDF finds bodies of missing sailors aboard damaged Navy ship". Haaretz. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  112. ^ "Lebanon shudders under deadly strikes as toll soars". AFP. 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  113. ^ "'Ten die' as Israel hits vehicles". BBC News. 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  114. ^ "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)
  115. ^ Template:Pt icon "Itamaraty confirma morte de brasileiros no Líbano". Globo. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  116. ^ 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)
  117. ^ Template:De icon "Deutsch-libanesische Familie umgekommen". Süddeutsche Zeitung. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  118. ^ Template:De icon "Urlauber getötet". n-tv.de. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  119. ^ 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)
  120. ^ "Canadian family with four children killed in Lebanon". Reuters. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  121. ^ "'Israel may have to take alarming force'". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  122. ^ "'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)
  123. ^ "Lebanon Appeals For Cease-Fire With Israel As Middle East Violence Escalates". MTV. 14 July 2006.
  124. ^ "Israel Claims Hundreds of Hits in Lebanon". Associated Press. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  125. ^ "Israel hits Hezbollah stronghold". BBC. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  126. ^ "Ahmadinejad: Israel would not dare to move against Iran". Haaretz. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  127. ^ "Syria says fully backs Hizbollah against Israel". Reuters. 2006-07-15. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  128. ^ 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)
  129. ^ "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)
  130. ^ "Lebanon says Bush to press Israel to limit attacks". Reuters. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  131. ^ "Lebanese PM demands ceasefire". ABC News. 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  132. ^ "Israel hits Hezbollah leader's HQ". BBC News. 2006-07-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  133. ^ 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)
  134. ^ a b 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)
  135. ^ "Rice tells Israel US concerned about casualties". Reuters. 2006-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  136. ^ "Rockets Fired From Lebanon Rain Down on Israel". 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  137. ^ Developments in Israel-Lebanon Crisis
  138. ^ "G8 says Israel has right to self-defence".
  139. ^ 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)
  140. ^ Arabs divided over Hezbollah's role in Lebanon crisis - Deutsche Presse-Agentur - 15 July 2006
  141. ^ 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)
  142. ^ news.bbc.co.uk (2006-07-17). "UN Calls for Lebanon peace force". BBC. Retrieved 2006-07-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2006_Lebanon_War&oldid=64332415"