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Conflict in the Levant

A detailed analytical overview of the 2006 Lebanon War, examining its background, course, consequences, and the complex geopolitical factors involved.

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Conflict Overview

Duration and Participants

The 2006 Lebanon War, known in Lebanon as the July War and in Israel as the Second Lebanon War, was a 34-day armed conflict. It occurred between Hezbollah and Israel, commencing on 12 July 2006, and concluding with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire effective 14 August 2006. The conflict formally ended on 8 September 2006, when Israel lifted its naval blockade of Lebanon. This war represented the third Israeli invasion of Lebanon since 1978.

Geographic Scope

The primary theaters of operation included southern Lebanon, northern Israel, and the Golan Heights. The conflict significantly impacted the civilian populations and infrastructure of both nations.

Outcome and Assessment

The war concluded with an inconclusive result, according to subsequent analysis. While both Hezbollah and the Israeli government claimed victory, the Winograd Commission in Israel concluded that the war represented a missed opportunity for Israel, failing to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah. The conflict resulted in substantial casualties and damage on both sides.

Historical Context

Pre-War Tensions

Following Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah's primary objective became the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israeli detention. The immediate catalyst for the war was the 12 July 2006 Hezbollah cross-border raid, which resulted in the deaths of three Israeli soldiers and the capture of two others. Hezbollah stated its intention was to secure a prisoner exchange.

Israeli Response

Israel responded to the raid with airstrikes and artillery fire targeting Hezbollah positions and Lebanese infrastructure, including Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport. This escalated into a ground invasion of southern Lebanon and a naval blockade, marking a significant military escalation.

International Dimension

The conflict prompted international intervention, culminating in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution called for Hezbollah's disarmament, an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, and the deployment of an expanded UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the south. The resolution aimed to establish a lasting ceasefire and stabilize the region.

Course of Hostilities

Initial Engagements

The war commenced with a Hezbollah cross-border raid and rocket attacks on northern Israel. Israel retaliated with extensive airstrikes and artillery bombardments, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and, controversially, civilian facilities. Hezbollah responded by launching thousands of rockets into northern Israel, engaging Israeli forces in guerrilla warfare.

Air and Ground Operations

The Israeli Air Force conducted numerous sorties, targeting Hezbollah rocket launchers, command centers, and infrastructure. Ground operations involved Israeli ground forces advancing into southern Lebanon. Hezbollah employed sophisticated anti-tank guided missiles against Israeli armor, inflicting notable damage on Merkava tanks.

Ceasefire and Resolution

After weeks of intense fighting and significant civilian casualties, UN Security Council Resolution 1701 was adopted, leading to a ceasefire. The resolution mandated the deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire, lingering issues, including the status of captured soldiers and disputed territories, remained unresolved.

Allegations of War Crimes

International Humanitarian Law

The conflict saw allegations of violations of international humanitarian law by both parties. International organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused both Israel and Hezbollah of potentially committing war crimes. Key concerns included indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations, disproportionate use of force, and the use of prohibited weapons.

Cluster Munitions and Phosphorus

Israel's extensive use of cluster munitions, particularly in the final days of the war, drew significant criticism for its indiscriminate nature and the lingering threat posed by unexploded ordnance. The use of white phosphorus shells was also investigated for potential violations of international law.

Human Shields and Civilian Areas

Accusations were made regarding Hezbollah's alleged use of civilian areas for military operations and the potential use of civilians as human shields. Conversely, Israel faced criticism for strikes on civilian infrastructure and neighborhoods, with organizations questioning the proportionality and distinction between combatants and civilians in Israeli operations.

Human Cost

Lebanese Losses

Estimates of Lebanese casualties vary, with figures ranging from approximately 850 to over 1,200 dead. A significant portion of these casualties, estimated by UNICEF to be around 30%, were children. The Higher Relief Council reported 4,409 injured, with 15% suffering permanent disabilities. Unexploded ordnance continued to cause casualties post-conflict.

Israeli Losses

Israel reported 121 soldiers killed and 1,244 wounded. Additionally, 44 Israeli civilians were killed and 4,262 injured, with many suffering psychological trauma. The rocket attacks significantly disrupted civilian life in northern Israel, necessitating evacuations and reliance on bomb shelters.

Hezbollah and Militia Casualties

Hezbollah's official casualty figures were initially kept low, but later estimates suggested between 250 and 700 fighters killed. Other allied militias, including Amal and the Lebanese Communist Party, also sustained casualties. The exact numbers remain subject to differing reports and methodologies.

Strategic Assessment

Military Effectiveness

The war highlighted challenges in conventional warfare against asymmetric actors. While Israel's air power inflicted significant damage on Lebanese infrastructure, its ground operations faced determined resistance from Hezbollah. Hezbollah's effective use of anti-tank missiles and guerrilla tactics demonstrated resilience, though its rocket arsenal was substantially degraded.

Political Ramifications

The Winograd Commission's findings indicated strategic and operational failures on the part of the Israeli leadership. The conflict bolstered Hezbollah's regional standing, portraying it as a formidable opponent capable of resisting the Israeli military. The war also intensified regional geopolitical dynamics, particularly concerning Iran's influence.

Long-Term Impact

The 2006 Lebanon War had lasting consequences, including increased regional instability, heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, and a re-evaluation of military doctrines. The conflict underscored the complexities of modern warfare and the challenges of achieving decisive military outcomes against non-state actors.

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References

References

  1.  Uzi Rubin. The Rocket Campaign against Israel during the 2006 Lebanon War. p. 12. The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies Bar-Ilan University
  2.  Rolling Thunder: A Century of tank Warfare (Pen and Sword, 14 November 2013), by Philip Kaplan, page 172
  3.  Cordesman & Sullivan 2007, p. 110"Only 5–6 of all types represented a lasting vehicle kill"
  4.  Hizbullah shoots down helicopter in southern Lebanon Hanan Greenberg Published: 08.12.06, 23:01, ynetnews
  5.  Crash grounds Israel helicopters Page last updated at 09:04 GMT, Thursday, 11 September 2008
  6.  Exclusive: Photos of navy ship hit during war revealed. YnetNews. 10.11.07
  7.  "Striking Deep Into Israel, Hamas Employs an Upgraded Arsenal" by Mark Mazzetti, The New York Times, 31 December 2008.
  8.  BBC News Online (8 March 2007). "PM 'says Israel pre-planned war'". Retrieved 9 March 2007.
  9.  Israel/Lebanon: Out of all proportion – civilians bear the brunt of the war, Amnesty International, November 2006.
  10.  SIPRI Yearbook 2007: Armaments, Disarmament, And International Security, Oxford University Press, page 69.
  11.  Why They Died: Civilian Casualties in Lebanon during the 2006 War, Human Rights Watch, September 2007
  12.  "Lebanon Death Toll Hits 1,300", by Robert Fisk, 17 August 2006, The Independent
  13.  See, e.g., Yaakov Katz, "Halutz officers discuss war strategy," The Jerusalem Post, 5 September 2006, p. 2
  14.  Dudkevitch, "Paratrooper Sniper Becomes Hero", The Jerusalem Post Online Edition, 22 November 2005.
  15.  Amos Harel and Avi Issascharoff, Korey Akavish, Sipura shel Mmilchemet Levanon (Tel Aviv: Yediot Aharonot, 2008), pp. 179–81
  16.  Bengali, Shashank (9 August 2006), "Lebanese army saddled with several handicaps", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
  17.  Human Rights Watch (August 2006). "Fatal Strikes: Israel's Indiscriminate Attacks Against Civilians in Lebanon". Retrieved 5 April 2007.
  18.  Ynet News (3 August 2006). "Human rights group accuses Israel of war crimes". Retrieved 7 April 2007.
  19.  Haaretz (31 January 2008), "Winograd: Current use of cluster bombs not in line with int'l law"
  20.  Noe, Nicholas, Voice of Hezbollah, the statements of Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, Verso, London and New York, 2007, p. 398–99
  21.  Nicholas Noe, Voice of Hezbollah, The Statements of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Verso, 2007, pp. 394–95
  22.  Congressional Research Service, 2006 "Lebanon: The Israel–Hamas–Hezbollah Conflict"
  23.  "Hunting for Hezbollah." Norman, Louise. This World. British Broadcasting Corp. 4 July 2007. Television.
  24.  Krauthammer, Charles. "Hezbollah's 'Victory'", The Washington Post 9 January 2006
  25.  Young, "Hoodwinked by Hezbollah", reason.com; 24 August 2006.
  26.  Brendan Simms, "Hezbollah have suffered a setback", Social Affairs Unit, 24 August 2006.
  27.  Ynet News (2 December 2006). "Annan finds 13 incidents of illicit arms in Lebanon". Retrieved 8 December 2006.
  28.  Greenberg, "Military Intelligence: Hizbullah lost its number one figure," ynetnews.com, 13 February 2008
  29.  Benhorin, UN official: Arms Cache that exploded in Lebanon was Hezbollah's, ynetnews.com, 23 July 2009
  30.  Nahmias, "Traces of chemical weapons found in Hezbollah warehouse," ynetnews.com, 9 September 2009, ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,l-3771736,00.html
A full list of references for this article are available at the 2006 Lebanon War Wikipedia page

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