2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict: Difference between revisions

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	{{Infobox Military Conflict (3 sided)
			{{Redirect category shell\|
	\|partof= the ]
			{{R from move}}
	\|image=]
	\|caption=<small>An ] ] fires into ]</small>
	\|conflict=2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict<br />(])
	\|date=] ] — present
	\|place=] and northern ]
	\|result= Ongoing
	\|casus=Hezbollah raid and capture of two ] soldiers.
	\|combatant1=] ]
	\|combatant2=] ]
	\|combatant3=] ]<br />
	\|commander1=] <small>(Secretary General)</small>
	\|commander2= ] <small>(])</small><br />] <small>(])</small>
	\|commander3=] <small>(])</small>
	\|casualties1=<small>
	'''Militia:'''<br/>80 killed<ref>{{cite news\|title=Lebanon counts human cost of 23 days in firing line\|publisher=The Guardian\|date=] \|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1837057,00.html}}</ref><br/><br/>'''] militia:''' 8 killed
	<br><br>Israel claims 400 killed and 7 captured<ref>{{cite news \| title =Israel strikes deep into Lebanon \| publisher = ] \| date = 2006-08-01 \| url =http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/01/mideast.main/index.html}}</ref>
	\|casualties2=<small>'''Civilians:'''<br/>35 killed <ref>{{cite news\|title=8 killed in rocket attacks\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3285857,00.html}}</ref><ref name=AP>{{cite news\|title=Hezbollah fires record number of rockets \|date=]\|publisher=AP\|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060802/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_fighting_israel_3;_ylt=Aji0IZSHS24m0sZUxpwJe18UvioA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl}}</ref><br/>1,293 injured <br/> (875 treated for shock)<ref name="ynetcasual1">{{cite news\| title=Some 1,300 Israelis hurt since fighting began\|publisher=]\|date=]\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3279994,00.html}}</ref><br>300,000 displaced<ref name="NYTimes Israel Seek">{{cite news \|title=Israeli Refugees Seek Friends and Families \|publisher=The New York Times \|date= ] ]\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/31/world/middleeast/31displaced.html?_r=1&ref=middleeast&oref=slogin}}</ref><br/>'''Soldiers:'''<br />45 killed <ref name="KBCI2">{{cite news\|title=13 IDF casualties reported in Bint Jbeil\| date=]\| publisher= ]\|url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3281480,00.html}}</ref><br/>154 wounded<ref name="KBCI2">{{cite news \| title=Israel says soldiers killed in clash with Hezbollah\| date=]\| publisher= ] \| url = http://www.kbcitv.com/x51828.xml?URL=http://10.56.1.26/APWIREFEED/d8j07fso1.xml&NewsSection=InternationalHeadlines}}</ref><br/>2 captured
	\|casualties3=<small>'''Civilians:'''><!--please use math on Talk; source reliable numbers please; current Talk justifies 577, and not 750+--> 577 killed<ref name=CBS02>{{cite news\|title=Israel Bombards Beirut\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/02/world/main1858131.shtml}}</ref><br/>One million displaced<ref>{{cite news\|title=Lebanon counts human cost of 23 days in firing line\|publisher=]\|url=] \|date=] \|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060804/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel_768;_ylt=AvQ5uLxbXnhPQCDoHbWBqtMUvioA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl}}</ref>
	\|notes= Other casualties ''See'' ]
	}}		}}

	The '''2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict''' is a series of ongoing military actions and clashes in northern ] and ] between ] and the ] (IDF). The conflict came in the context of a larger ], and two weeks after the start of the ], which continues in parallel.

	Triggered by a cross-border Hezbollah raid and ] shelling ] which resulted in the capture of two and killing of three Israeli soldiers, the conflict expanded to include massive Israeli ]s in Lebanon and Hezbollah rocket attacks on ],<ref>{{cite news\|title=Rockets fired at Meron, Safed; no injuries\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3276843,00.html}}</ref> as well as an ] and ] ] of Lebanon, and an ] and ] invasion of ].<ref>{{cite news\|title=Lebanon-Israel Developments \|date=]\|publisher=]\|url= http://www.forbes.com/technology/ebusiness/feeds/ap/2006/07/17/ap2883932.html }}</ref>

	The conflict has caused the death of hundreds of civilians, widespread infrastructure damage in Lebanon, and has displaced more than a million people and disrupted normal life across most of Lebanon and the northern parts of Israel. Israeli and Hezbollah attacks on civilian population centers and infrastructure have both drawn sharp criticism internationally.

	The ] and ] recently backed a ] ] resolution that calls for the disarmament of all groups in Lebanon besides the ] and an international force that would protect the border with Israel.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14201487\|title=Draft truce calls for ‘full cessation of hostilities’\|publisher=Reuters\|date=] ]}}</ref> Lebanon has rejected the proposed resolution, as it does not call for immediate Israeli withdrawal from Southern Lebanon, nor for an immediate cease-fire. <ref>{{cite news\|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-08-05T223907Z_01_L05688729_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST.xml&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage3\|title=Mideast violence rages, UN resolution nears\|publisher=Reuters\|date=] ]}}</ref>
	{{see also\|Timeline of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}
	{{see also\|Military operations of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}


	==Beginning of conflict==
	{{main\|Zar'it-Ayta al-Sha`b incident}}

	According to numerous sources, 9:05 AM local time on 12 July 2006, a ground contingent of Hezbollah militants attacked two Israeli armored ]s on a routine patrol along the Israel-Lebanon border near the Israeli village of ] with ], capturing two Israeli soldiers, and killing three.<ref name="haaretz6">{{cite news \|title=8 soldiers killed, 2 snatched in Hezbollah border attacks\| date=]\| publisher=]\| url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/737634.html}}</ref> Five others were killed later on the Lebanese side of the border on ] during a mission to rescue the two captured soldiers.<ref name="HaaretzIDFRetrieve">{{cite news\|title=IDF retrieves bodies of four tank soldiers killed in south Lebanon\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/738310.html}}</ref> In an ] the Lebanese police force stated that the Israeli soldiers were attacked and captured on the Lebanese side of the border on ] during a mission to infiltrate the Lebanese town of ],<ref name="yahoo234">{{cite news \| title=Hezbollah captures two Israeli soldiers\| date=]\|publisher=]\| url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/060712/43/65tzi.html}}</ref> though the U.N, EU, G8<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060712.html\|title=Statement on Condemnation of Hizballah Kidnapping of Two Israeli Soldiers\|date=]}}</ref>, and prominent news agencies<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/20/mideast.diplomacy/index.html\|title= U.N. chief calls for immediate cease-fire\|date=]\|publisher=]}}</ref> have characterized the Hezbollah action as "cross-border". However, the question of on which side of the border the clash took place remains in dispute, with many international press reporting that the Israelis were taken on Lebanese soil. <ref name="AsiaTimes">{{cite news \|title=It's war by any other name\| date=]\| publisher=]\| url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HG15Ak02.html}}</ref>

	The ] confirmed the capture of the two Israeli soldiers on ] and identified them as ] and ], both reservists who were on their last day of operational duty.<ref name="cnnkid">{{cite news \| title= Kidnapped soldier's kin: Stop the killing\| date=]\|publisher=]\| url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/20/kidnapped.soldiers/index.html}}</ref>

	Hezbollah's attack was named '''Operation Truthful Promise''', after a "promise" by its leader ] ] to capture Israeli soldiers and swap them for ] and other Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.<ref name"Naz_press">{{cite news\|title=Press Conference with Hasan Nasrallah\|date=]\|publisher=Al-Manar\|url=http://www.upc.org.uk/hasann12jul06.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=Escaping Lebanon\|date=]\|publisher=Porterville Recorde\|url=http://myopr.com/articles/2006/07/22/news/local_state/news2.txt}}</ref>

	Hezbollah released a statement saying "Implementing our promise to free Arab prisoners in Israeli jails, our strugglers have captured two Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon".<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=21653\|title=Hezbollah captures two Israeli soldiers\|publisher=NewKerala Online Newspaper, India\|date=] ]\|access=] ]}}</ref>
	Later on, ] ] declared: “No military operation will return them… The prisoners will not be returned except through one way: indirect negotiations and a trade of prisoners.”<ref>{{cite news\|title=Hizbullah leader calls for prisoner exchange \|publisher=Al Bawaba \|date=2006-07-12\|url=http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Palestine/200711}}</ref>

	==Israeli action==

	] to ] ].]]

	{{main\|Israeli military action in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}

	Prime Minister of Israel ] declared the attack by Hezbollah’s military wing an “act of war,” and promised Lebanon a “very painful and far-reaching response.”<ref>{{cite news\|title=Regional tensions fuel Lebanon-Israel clashes\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13827858/}}</ref>CNN reported that "The Israeli Cabinet authorized "severe and harsh" retaliation on Lebanon . . . Israel's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, told Israel's Channel 10, "If the soldiers are not returned, we will turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years."<ref name="severe and harsh">{{cite news \|url= http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/12/mideast/index.html \|publisher=CNN \|title=Israel authorizes 'severe' response to abductions \|date=] ]}}</ref> Retired Israeli army Col. Gal Luft, a former commander in the town of ], said: "Israel is attempting to create a rift between the Lebanese population and Hezbollah supporters by exacting a heavy price from the elite in Beirut. The message is: If you want your air conditioning to work and if you want to be able to fly to Paris for shopping, you must pull your head out of the sand and take action toward shutting down Hezbollah-land."<ref></ref>

	Israel said it held the ] government responsible for the attack, but Prime Minister ] denied any knowledge of the raid and stated that he did not condone it.<ref name=Lebanon2>{{cite news\|title= Statement by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74027}}</ref> An emergency meeting of the Lebanese government reaffirmed this position.<ref name=Lebanon1>{{cite news\|title= Siniora’s Cabinet makes clear it had nothing to do with “what happened”\|date=]\| publisher=]\|url=http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=73930}}</ref>

	]

	Early on ] ] Israel sent IAF jets to bomb ] near ], forcing its closure and diverting its arriving flights to ]. ] is now imposing an air and sea ] on ],<ref>{{cite news\|title= Israel Imposing Blockade on Lebanon\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url= http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/13/D8IQVBP02.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel targets Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut suburb; IAF attacks Beirut airport, Hezbollah TV station\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url= http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=737860&contrassID=1&subContrassID=0&sbSubContrassID=0}}</ref> and has bombed the main ]–] highway.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Bombing highways out of Beirut\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5192698.stm}}</ref>

	The ] has carried out nearly 2,000 bombing sorties across Lebanon,{{citation needed}} especially targeting transportation infrastructure such as roads and bridges.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Day-by-day: Lebanon crisis - week two\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5194156.stm}}</ref> Israel says these missions are essential for weakening Hezbollah's rocket-launching capability.<ref>{{cite news\|title=IDF Attacks Over 60 Targets in Lebanese Territory \|publisher=Israeli Defense Forces \|date=] ] \|url=http://www1.idf.il/DOVER/site/mainpage.asp?sl=EN&id=7&docid=55273.EN}}</ref>] ] said that the ground operations would be limited.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Halutz: Ground operations will be limited in scope\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/741318.html}}</ref>

	On ] ], ] crossed into Lebanon in the ] area, which overlooks several other sites said to have been used as launch pads for Hezbollah rockets.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel 'seizes' Hezbollah village\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5206966.stm}}</ref>

	On ] IDF forces attacked ], an important Hezbollah stronghold opposite the Israeli border. On ], Hezbollah ambushed the Israelis and killed 8 soldiers, though Israel says it also inflicted heavy losses on Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Bint Jbeil: Hezbollah heartland\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5221086.stm}}</ref> By ], the bulk of the combat had ended, and Israel withdrew its battle-weary troops and left the town.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Focus: Brutal battle for uncertain peace\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2291490,00.html}}</ref>

	On ] Israeli commandos landed in ].<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-08-01T201942Z_01_L01895035_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-BAALBEK.xml
	\|title=Israeli troops land near Hizbollah town in Lebanon\|publisher=Reuters\|date=] ]}}</ref> Troops had landed near Dar al-Himkeh hospital west of Baalbeck as part of a 'widescale operation' in the area.<ref>{{cite news\|url=[http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1186211.php/Big_Israeli_airborne_assault_in_eastern_Lebanon
	\|title=Big Israeli airborne assault in eastern Lebanon\|publisher=Monsters & Critics\|date=] ]}}</ref>

	{{see also\|Operation Sharp and Smooth}}

	==Hezbollah rocket campaign==
	{{main\|Hezbollah rocket campaign in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}
	]
	On ], following Israeli bombing raids on Lebanon that killed 60 civilians <ref>{{cite news\|title=Hezbollah leader vows 'open war' \|publisher=BBC \|date=07-15-06 \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5182048.stm}}</ref> Nasrallah said, addressing Israel: "You wanted an open war, and we are heading for an open war. We are ready for it."<ref name=openwar>{{cite news\|title= Israeli Attacks Increase; Hezbollah Vows 'Open War'\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5557835}}</ref>

	After the Israeli initial response, Hezbollah declared an all-out military alert, and said it had 13,000 rockets capable of hitting towns and installations far into northern ]. As a result, Defense Minister Peretz told commanders to prepare civil defense plans and many of the nearly 1,000,000 civilians living in Northern Israel have been sent to bomb shelters or fled their homes to other parts of the country.<ref name="Guardian1">{{cite news \|title=Israeli Couple Weds in Bomb Shelter\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5968227,00.html }}</ref>
	Hezbollah continued to fire hundreds of ] rockets into northern Israel's towns and cities, including ], ], ], ], ], and ], and numerous small agricultural villages.<ref name=ynet4>{{cite news\|title=Katyusha rockets hit Galilee\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3275440,00.html}}</ref>
	].]]

	Hezbollah attacks have hit as far south as ], as well as Israel's third largest city, ], and the ] cities of ] and ]. ] has reported that the Hezbollah attack included a ] and a ] liquid-fuel missiles, developed by Iran.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Hezbollah rockets kill 9 in Israeli city \|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060716/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel}}</ref><ref name=Manar>{{cite news\|title=Hizbullah: One of the rockets is a Ra'ad 1\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3276411,00.html}}</ref> One of the attacks hit a railroad repair depot, killing eight workers; Hezbollah claimed that this attack was aimed at a large Israeli fuel storage plant adjacent to the railway facility. The plant has not been hit to date. Haifa is home to many strategically valuable facilities such as shipyards and oil refineries. <ref>{{cite news\|title=2 wounded in Hezbollah strike on Haifa \|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/local/15056871.htm}}</ref>
	<ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel hammers at Lebanese infrastructure \| ]\|publisher=]\|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LEBANON_ISRAEL?SITE=NYPLA&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&SECTION=HOME}}</ref>

	On ] Nasrallah has announced the launch of the "second phase of our struggle" in which his long-range rockets would "go beyond Haifa," Israel's third-largest city. Israeli officials have been bracing for possible rocket attacks on Tel Aviv, which would mark a major escalation in the conflict. <ref>, '']'', ], ]</ref> On ] in a televised address to the Lebanese nation Nasrallah said:<blockquote>"I tell the Lebanese that no one among you should be afraid of the victory of the resistance.. I assert that the victory will be for all of Lebanon, for every Arab, Muslim and honorable Christian, who stood with Lebanon and defended it."<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/29/AR2006072901107.html \|publisher=] \|title=What Next, Lebanon?\| date=2006-07-30}}</ref></blockquote>

	] reportedly saw 140-146 rockets fired from Hezbollah positions into Israel- the most fired on a single day since IDF Operation Change Direction began.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Analysis: Too late now for an invasion? \|publisher=Jerusalem Post \|date=07-26-06 \|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1153292036844&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-07-30T171354Z_01_L22849465_RTRUKOC_0_UK-MIDEAST.xml\|title=WRAPUP 16-Israel raid kills more than 60, Lebanon shuns Rice=Reuters news\|date=]\|accessdate=2006-07-30}}</ref> On ] Rockets also landed near the town of ], about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the border _ the deepest penetration so far.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/47301.html\|title=10:44 am: Hezbollah guerrillas fire record number of rockets at Israel \|date=]\|accessdate=2006-07-30}}</ref> Reports of rocket attacks reached 300 striking 15 targets inside Israel<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8505110528\|title=300 Hezbollah Rockets Strike 15 Israeli Targets\|date=]\|accessdate=2006-07-30}}</ref> despite the IDF's claim that the three-week offensive in Lebanon had eroded Hezbollah's firepower. <ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/47301.html\|title=10:44 am: Hezbollah guerrillas fire record number of rockets at Israel \|date=]\|accessdate=2006-07-30}}</ref>

	On ], which saw eight Israeli civilians killed by rocket attacks, Nasrallah explicitly warned Israel "if you hit our capital we will hit your capital Tel Aviv". Israel has yet to strike the central part of Beirut. <ref>, '']'', ] ]</ref> ] military correspondent cited a "most senior IDF source" who stated in response that "if Tel Aviv is attacked, the national infrastructure of Lebanon will be destroyed." <ref name="mabat">{{he icon}}, '']'', ] ]</ref>
	In his ] speech, Nasrallah stated for the first time, however, that if Israel ceases aerial and artillery strikes of Lebanese towns and villages, Hezbollah will stop its rocket campaign. <ref name="mabat" /> On ], Israel attacked the southern outskirts of Beirut, and later in the day, Hezbollah launched rockets at the ] region, its southernmost rocket attack to date. <ref>, '']'', ], ]</ref>

	==Targeting of civilian areas==
	{{main\|Targeting of civilian areas in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}
	]

	<!--In order to resolve article size issues, this entire section and subsections has been moved to ], please read the talk page of this article, and please visit the main page for this section. Please note that in accordance to ] a resume should be left here of each main point in order to avoid any ]. -->

	], ] ], expressed "grave concern over the continued killing and maiming of civilians in Lebanon, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory." She suggested that the actions of Israel and Hezbollah may constitute ]s, a belief shared by ].<ref>{{cite news\|title=UN warning on Mid-East war crimes\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5197544.stm\|publisher=]\|date=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=Toll Rises in Middle East\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/20/world/middleeast/20mideast.html?ei=5094&en=c9b26163f93ed42f&hp=&ex=1153454400&partner=homepage&pagewanted=all\|publisher=]\|date=]}}</ref><ref></ref>Arbour called for Israel to obey a "principle of proportionality" and said, "indiscriminate shelling of cities constitutes a foreseeable and unacceptable targeting of civilians … Similarly, the bombardment of sites with alleged military significance, but resulting invariably in the killing of innocent civilians, is unjustifiable." has also condemned both sides for attacks on civilians.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGIOR410122006\|title=UN: Security Council must adopt urgent measures to protect civilians in Israel-Lebanon conflict \|publisher=Amnesty International}}</ref>] wrote on ], "The obscene score-card for death in this latest war now stands as follows: 508 Lebanese civilians, 46 Hizbollah guerrillas, 26 Lebanese soldiers, 36 Israeli soldiers and 19 Israeli civilians.In other words, Hizbollah is killing more Israeli soldiers than civilians and the Israelis are killing far more Lebanese civilians than they are guerrillas."<ref></ref>

	] has warned against the use of ] and ] by the IDF, while Lebanon has accused Israel of using the weapons, in violation of international law (]).<ref name= "DailyStarGeneva">{{cite news\|url= http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=73994 \|title=Lebanon under Israeli attack: Sunday Roundup\|date=]\|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|url=http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/ENGMDE150702006 \|publisher=] \|title=Obligations under international humanitarian law of the parties to the conflict in Israel and Lebanon \|date=]}} Section 8.4 </ref> Israel has also been accused of using ],<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/24/isrlpa13798.htm \|title=Israeli Cluster Munitions Hit Civilians in Lebanon\|date=]\|publisher=]}}</ref> while Hezbollah has been accused of violating international law by using rockets packed with metal ball bearings.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/17/lebano13748.htm \| title=Questions and Answers on Hostilities Between Israel and Hezbollah \| date=] \| publisher=]}}</ref> "Lobbing rockets blindly into civilian areas is without doubt a war crime," said ], executive director of Human Rights Watch. "Most of the attacks appear to have been directed at civilian areas and have hit pedestrians, hospitals, schools, homes and businesses."<ref>{{cite news
	\|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525810863&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
	\|title='Hizbullah committing war crimes'
	\|publisher=Jerusalem Post
	\|date=] ]
	}}</ref>

	Strikes on Lebanon's civilian population and infrastructure include ], sea ports, a lighthouse, grain silos,<ref>{{cite news\|title=Howard says Lebanon evacuation possible by ferry\|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1687633.htm \|publisher=]\|date=]}}</ref> bridges, roads, factories, medical and relief trucks,<ref>{{cite news\|title=UAE aid truck bombed by Israel\|url=http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/07/18/10053572.html \|publisher=]\|date=]}}</ref> mobile telephone and television stations,<ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel hits Lebanon telecoms, plans more incursions\|url= http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-07-22T172011Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-260604-3.xml \|publisher=]\|date=]}}</ref> fuel containers and service stations,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_ID=1&article_ID=74049&categ_id=2\|title=By the numbers: heavy damage to infrastructure\|date=]\|accessdate=2006-07-19\|publisher=]}}</ref> and the country's largest dairy farm ].<ref>{{cite news\|title=Mayhem in middle east: it gets worse\|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17415818&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=it-gets-worse--name_page.html\|publisher=]\|date=]}}</ref> There have been reports of incidents involving attacks on residential buildings,<ref>{{cite news\|title='10 buildings for each rocket'\|date=]\|publisher=]/]\|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Middle_East/0,,2-10-2075_1972537,00.html}}</ref> ambulances,<ref>{{cite news\|title=CNN Live Saturday\|url=\|publisher=]\|date=]\|url= http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0607/22/cst.01.html}}</ref> fleeing civilians,<ref>{{cite news\|title=To Flee or to Stay? Family Chooses Too Late and Pays Dearly\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/24/world/middleeast/24tyre.html?pagewanted=all\|publisher=]\|date=]}}</ref> and ],<ref name="BBC 726">{{cite news\|title=Israel troops 'ignored' UN plea \|publisher=BBC \|date=07-26-06 \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5217176.stm}}</ref>. The Israeli government insists these attacks are accidental.

	On ] ] an ] hit next to a residential building in ] housing refugees which subsequently collapsed.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel suspends bombings after deadly strike \|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/31/africa/web.0731mideast.php}}</ref>
	28 people died, 16 of which were children, and 13 are missing according to Human Rights Watch<ref>, ''Reuters'', August 2, 2006</ref>. Israel said it was near Hezbollah rocket launching sites and raised questions about a nearly eight hour gap between the bombing and the building's collapse;<ref>{{cite news\|title=IDF: Qana building fell hours after strike\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3283816,00.html}}</ref>
	Senior Emergencies Researcher for Human Rights Watch, Peter Bouckaert, states that "Not only has Israel failed to distinguish between military and civilian targets; its own officials suggest that they have decided any civilian still in the south is fair game."<ref name="International Herald Tribune">{{cite news\|title=For Israel, innocent civilians are fair game\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/03/opinion/edbouck.php}}</ref>

	{{main\|2006 Qana airstrike}}

	On ] ], at least 30 farm workers were killed and 30 more injured in an Israeli airstrike on the village of Qaa, in the northeast Bekaa valley near the Syrian border. The casualties, mostly Syrian, were evacuated to hospitals in Syria, since the roads within Lebanon have been closed as a result of Israeli bombing.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Israeli air raids kill 40 in Lebanon\|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-08-04T170201Z_01_L30823603_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST1.xml\|publisher=]\|date=]}}</ref>

	Hezbollah has fired rockets at civilian targets throughout the conflict, landing in all major cities of northern Israel including ], ], ], ], ], ]<ref>, '']</ref> ], ], ], and ], and dozens of ], ], and ] and ] villages, as well as the northern ].<ref>{{cite news\|title=Safed: Man seriously injured in Katyusha attack\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3275609,00.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=Long-range rocket lands near Jenin\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3285259,00.html}}</ref> It also hit a hospital in ] in northern ] on the 18th of July, wounding 8.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/extract/333/7561/217-b ] \|title=Hizbollah rocket hits hospital\|date=]}}</ref>
	Hezbollah leader ] defended the rocket attacks, saying "In the beginning, we started to act calmly, we focused on Israel military bases and we didn't attack any settlement, However, since the first day, the enemy attacked Lebanese towns and murdered civilians—Hezbollah militants had destroyed military bases, while the Israelis killed civilians and targeted Lebanon's infrastructure."<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.alghaliboun.net/english/_previousinterv.php?filename=20060716194337\|title=Hizbullah leader promises enemy 'more surprises'\|date=] ]\|publisher=Islamic Resistance Lebanon}}</ref>

	===Advance warnings of attacks by Israel===
	]) dropped by the IAF on ]. It reads: <u>"To all citizens south of the ]:</u> Due to the terror activities being carried out against the State of Israel from within your villages and homes, the IDF was forced to respond immediately against these activities, even within your villages. For your safety! <u>We call upon you to evacuate your villages immediately and move north of the Litani River.</u> “The State of Israel”]]

	Israel has defended its bombing raids, pointing out that it drops leaflets warning civilians to leave the area before it attacks. However, these advance warnings have come under criticism for being used as an excuse to kill citizens who didn't leave. It was claimed by the Israeli Justice Minister ] on ] that any civilians remaining in South Lebanon after being issued such leaflets should be considered "terrorists".<ref>{{cite news\|title=You're all targets, Israel tells Lebanese in South \|publisher=Telegraph \|date=07-28-06 \|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/07/28/wmid28.xml}}</ref>

	The ] said in a ] statement on the IDF's attack on Qana: "Issuing advance warning to the civilian population of impending attacks in no way relieves a warring party of its obligations under the rules and principles of international humanitarian law. In particular, the principles of distinction and proportionality must be respected at all times..."<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.icrc.org/Web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/Lebanon-news-300706!OpenDocument \|title=Lebanon/Israel: ICRC alarmed by high number of civilian casualties and disrespect for international humanitarian law \|date=] \|accessdate=2006-08-02}}</ref>

	==Environmental consequences of attacks==
	*IDF strikes on the ] power plant on ] and ] caused 25,000 tonnes of oil to spill into the Mediterranean and constitutes an environmental disaster for the region. At present a 10km wide oil slick covers 80km of Lebanon's and 10km of Syria's coastline, moving north towards towards Turkey and Cyprus. The slick is reportedly causing breathing problems, killing fish, and threatening the habitat of the endangered green sea turtle. <ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060728.woil0728/BNStory/Front \|publisher=] \|title=Amid the fighting in Lebanon, a budding ecological disaster \|date=]}}</ref>
	{{seealso\|Jiyeh power station oil spill}}
	*] reported that ] GBU-28 "bunker buster" munitions are in use by the IDF against civilian infrastructure which the IDF claim houses Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150886004129&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull \|publisher=] \|title=Hizbullah chain of command still intact \|date=]}}</ref> The use of these munitions has been criticised by ] because of their toxic legacy of contamination which affects all those who come into contact with the pollution indiscriminately.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/ENGMDE150702006 \|publisher=] \|title=Obligations under international humanitarian law of the parties to the conflict in Israel and Lebanon \|date=]}}</ref>

	*Hezbollah rockets have caused numerous forest fires inside Northern Israel.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5238936.stm ] \|title=In pictures: Conflict enters fourth week: Picture 8: "Some Hezbollah rockets have started forest fires in Israel"\|date=]}}</ref>

	== Historical background ==
	{{seealso\|2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict#More background}}
	{{seealso\|Roles of non-combatant State and non-State actors in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}
	===Israeli-Lebanon conflict===

	The history of conflict between Israel and Lebanon began in 1947, when Lebanon's founding Prime Minister ] sparked the ] decision to enter the ] and sent his army into the disintegrating ]. The army was defeated, and retreated back into Lebanon, where it signed an armistice that lasted until shortly after the ].

	After the war, and following the ], over 110,000<!--per ]--> Palestinian refugees migrated to Lebanon, making up over 400,000 refugees today. <!--read the CIA source--><ref></ref>. By 1975, they numbered more than 300,000, creating an informal state-within-a-state in South Lebanon. The ] became a powerful force and played an important role in the ]. In response to numerous attacks launched from southern Lebanon, ] in an attempt to rout out Palestinian militants. As a result the ] passed ] and ], which called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to military action in Lebanon.<ref>{{cite web\|url= http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/background.html\|title=Lebanon – UNIFIL Background\|date=2005\|publisher=United Nations\|accessdate= 2006-07-14}}</ref>

	At the end of the operation, Israeli forces withdrew from Lebanon, leaving behind a ] force. Israel invaded again four years later in ], forcing PLO forces out of Lebanon (mostly to ]), and Israel occupied the southern part of the country. A US brokered ] was ratified by the Lebanese parliament in 1983, but President ] decided against signing in 1984. In 1985, Israel withdrew its forces from parts of Lebanon and remained in a 4–6 kilometre (2.5–3.75 ]) deep<ref></ref> strip of southern Lebanon, described by Israel as a "security zone" which it justified as a protective measure to defend its northern towns against Hezbollah attacks. This occupation lasted until 2000. On ]] after the collapse of the ] and the rapid advance of Hezbollah forces, Israel withdrew its troops from southern Lebanon.

	The SLA's equipment and positions in South Lebanon largely fell into the hands of Hezbollah, which has put considerable effort into fortifying the former security zone and establishing new firing positions. Since then, Hezbollah has repeatedly attacked Israeli military positions, whilst Israel has carried out numerous attacks aimed at striking Hezbollah bases (see ]).<ref>{{cite news\|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3414431.stm\|title=Israeli jets hit Lebanon targets\| publisher=]\|date=]\|accessdate= 2006-07-13}}</ref>

	===Previous prisoner exchanges===
	{{seealso\|Israeli MIA prisoner exchanges}}
	Over the last 30 years, Israel has released about 7,000 prisoners to secure freedom for 19 Israelis and to retrieve the bodies of eight others. In October 2000, Hezbollah captured three IDF soldiers who were killed either during the operation or in its immediate aftermath at ], and kidnapped an Israeli businessman who was a former army colonel ] in ]. A prisoner swap was carried out on ] ]: 30 Lebanese and Arab prisoners, the remains of 59 Lebanese militants and civilians, 400 Palestinian prisoners for Tenenbaum and the remains of the three soldiers. Hezbollah requested that maps showing Israeli mines in South Lebanon be included as part of the exchange. <ref>{{cite news\|title=Factfile: Hezbollah\|publisher=]\|url= http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/27EDF072-1581-48CE-812D-A34D7C89A333.htm \|date=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel, Hezbollah swap prisoners\|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/01/29/prisoner.exchange/ \|publisher=]\|date=]}}</ref>

	===Hezbollah===
	{{main\|Hezbollah}}
	Hezbollah is a Lebanese ] ] ] organization formed in 1982 "primarily to offer resistance to the Israeli occupation."<ref name="BBC 07-15">{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1908671.stm\|title=Who are Hezbollah?\|publisher=]\|date=]\|accessdate=2006-07-15}}</ref> Hezbollah's political rhetoric has consistently called for the destruction of Israel.<ref name="BBC 07-15" /> Hezbollah is considered by many western countries to be a terrorist organization.

	It has a military and civilian wing, the latter participating in the Lebanese parliament, currently with 18% of the seats (23 out of 128) and the ] it forms with others, the "]", a little less than 30% for a total of 35 seats (see ]). It is a minority partner in the ].

	==Casualties==
	{{main\|Casualties of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}
	{{seealso\|Attacks on United Nations personnel during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}

	{\| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center" class="wikitable"
	! style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"\| Entity !!style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"\| Civilian !!style="background:#B0C4DE; color:blck"\| Military
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Lebanon}}
	\| 828-833 dead,<ref>{{cite news\|title='You go a bit crazy when you see little body after little body coming up out of the ground'\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/syria/story/0,,1835307,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1}}</ref><ref name=CBS02>{{cite news\|title=Israel Bombards Beirut\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/02/world/main1858131.shtml}}</ref> 2,145-3,200 wounded.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel resumes airstrikes on Beirut\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/02/mideast.main/index.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=Casualties in Lebanon estimated as 833 killed, 3,220 injured\|publisher=ITAR-TASS\|date=]\|url=http://www.tass.ru/eng/level2.html?NewsID=10673391&PageNum=0 }}</ref><br>1,000,000 displaced<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-08-04T031103Z_01_L30823603_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST1.xml&pageNumber=1&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage1\|title=
	Israel readies for deeper push into Lebanon\|publisher=Reuters\|date=] ]}}</ref> \|\| 27 dead,<br>70 wounded{{fact}}
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Israel}}
	\| 35 dead, over 600 wounded,<ref name=ynetcasual1>{{cite news\|title=Some 1,300 Israelis hurt since fighting began\|publisher=]\|date=]\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3279994,00.html}}</ref> <br>300,000 displaced<ref>{{cite news \| title= Israelis rally to aid displaced\|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/31/news/displace.php}}</ref>\|\| 45 dead <br>136 wounded.<ref name="AP 07-18">{{cite news \| title=Mideast Casualties at a Glance\| date=]\| publisher= ] \| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071800730.html}}</ref><ref name="KBCI2">{{cite news \| title=Israel says soldiers killed in clash with Hezbollah\| date=]\| publisher= ] \| url = http://www.kbcitv.com/x51828.xml?URL=http://10.56.1.26/APWIREFEED/d8j07fso1.xml&NewsSection=InternationalHeadlines}}</ref>
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| ] ]
	\| \|\| 47 dead confirmed by Hezbollah
	\|-
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| ] ]
	\| \|\| 8 dead confirmed by ]
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Syria}}
	\| 17 dead <ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel kills 33 farm workers in Lebanon air strike\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04814952.htm}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Argentina}}
	\| 1 dead.<ref>{{es icon}} {{cite news\|title=Naharía, la ciudad del norte israelí donde una argentina murió bajo fuego de Hezbollah \|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.clarin.com/diario/2006/07/13/um/m-01232996.htm}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Australia}}
	\| \|\| 1 dead. <ref>{{cite news\|title=Australian Dual Citizen Killed in Israel\|date=]\|publisher=The Age\|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Australian-fighter-killed-in-Lebanon/2006/07/27/1153816288309.html}}</ref> <small>''Dual citizen, serving as Israeli soldier''</small>
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Austria}}
	\| 1 dead.<ref>{{es icon}} {{cite news\|title=Vermisster Soldat identifiziert \|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.kurier.at/nachrichten/burgenland/21917.php}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Brazil}}
	\| 6 dead.<ref>{{pt icon}} {{cite news\|title=Itamaraty confirma morte de brasileiros no Líbano\|date=]\| publisher=]\|url=http://oglobo.globo.com/online/mundo/mat/2006/07/13/284847957.asp}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=Two more Brazilians killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon \|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200607/19/eng20060719_284529.html}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Canada}}
	\| 8 dead, 6 wounded.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Eight Canadians killed in Lebanon: Ottawa\|date=]\|publisher=Reuters\|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-07-16T190610Z_01_N16250641_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-LEBANON-CANADA.xml}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Germany}}
	\| 4 dead.<ref>{{de icon}} {{cite news\|title=Deutsch-libanesische Familie umgekommen\|date=]\| publisher=Süddeutsche Zeitung\|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/ausland/artikel/706/80626/}}</ref><ref>{{de icon}} {{cite news\|title=Urlauber getötet\|date=]\| publisher=n-tv.de\|url=http://www.n-tv.de/689175.html}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|India}}
	\| 1 dead.<ref>{{cite news\|title=First Indian casualty in Lebanon \|date=]\|publisher=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India\|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060722/main5.htm}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Indonesia}}
	\| 1 dead.<ref>{{id icon}} {{cite news\|title=Seorang WNI Tewas Kena Rudal \|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.suaramerdeka.com/harian/0607/26/nas01.htm}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Iraq}}
	\| 1 dead.<ref name="AP 07-18" /> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Jordan}}
	\| 1 dead.<ref name="AP 07-18" /> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Kuwait}}
	\| 2 dead.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel targets Lebanese air bases, Kuwaiti nationals among dead and UN prepares envoy to Region\|date=]\| publisher=]\|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=73939}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Nigeria}}
	\| 1 dead. <ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel decides not to expand Lebanon offensive (Roundup) \|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1184504.php/Israel_decides_not_to_expand_Lebanon_offensive__Roundup_}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Palestine}}
	\| 1 dead{{fact}}
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Philippines}}
	\| 2 dead, 6 wounded.<ref> {{cite news\|title=Two Filipinos die in Lebanon\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=13378}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Sri Lanka}}
	\| 1 dead.<ref name="AP 07-18" /> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|Ukraine}}
	\| 1 dead.<ref>{{cite news \| title=
	Ukraine man in Lebanon feared killed in bombings \| date=]\| publisher=]\|url=http://5tv.com.ua/newsline/188/0/28422/}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagcountry\|United States}}
	\| 1 dead.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Israeli civilian casualty was originally from Boston
	\|date=]\|publisher=AP, Boston, USA\|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/08/02/israeli_civilian_casualty_was_originally_from_boston/}}</ref> \|\|
	\|-
	\| align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| {{flagicon\|United Nations}} ]
	\| 2 dead
	\| 4 dead, 8 wounded. <small>''See ]''</small>
	\|-
	!align="left" style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"\| Total
	\| style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"\|'''900+ dead, 3600+ wounded.''' \|\| style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"\|'''150+ dead, 200+ wounded.'''
	\|}

	{{selfref\|N.B. The ongoing nature of the conflict does not permit an accurate assessment of the precise number of casualties.}}

	==Position of Lebanon==
	{{main\|Position of Lebanon in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}
	While Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible for the Hezbollah attacks due to Lebanon’s failure to implement ] calling on it to disarm Hezbollah, Lebanon disavows the raids, stating that the government of Lebanon does not condone them, and that in any case Israel has its own history of disregarding inconvenient (or impossible) UN resolutions.<ref name=Lebanon2>{{cite news\|title= Statement by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74027}}</ref> An emergency meeting of the Lebanese government reaffirmed this position.<ref name=Lebanon1>{{cite news\|title= Siniora’s Cabinet makes clear it had nothing to do with “what happened”\|date=]\| publisher=]\|url=http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=73930}}</ref> Almost immediately after hostilities began, Lebanon's Prime Minister ] called for a ceasefire. On ], following a phone call between Siniora and ], 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.”<ref>{{cite news \| title = Lebanon says Bush to press Israel to limit attacks \| date=]\| publisher=]\|url= http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2006-07-14T112125Z_01_L14740154_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-LEBANON-SINIORA.xml}}</ref>

	The next day, in a televised message to the Lebanese people, and afterwards in an interview with CNN, Siniora said “We call for an immediate ceasefire backed by the United Nations.”<ref name="ABC News">{{cite news \| title = Lebanese PM demands ceasefire\| date=]\| publisher=]\|url= http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2196324}}</ref>
	<!--In order to resolve article size issues, this entire section and subsections has been moved to ], please read the talk page of this article, and please visit the main page for this section.-->

	==Negotiations for ceasefire==
	{{main\|Negotiations for ceasefire in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}
	Terms for a ceasefire have been drawn and revised several times, yet have not been successfully agreed upon by the two sides. Hezbollah has maintained that it insists on an unconditional ceasefire <ref>{{cite news\|title=Hezbollah wants an unconditional ceasefire \|date=] \|publisher=CTV.ca \|url= http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060716/mideast_template_060717/20060717?hub=CTVNewsAt11}}</ref>, while Israel has insisted that it will agree to a ceasefire only under certain conditions, including the return of two captured Israeli soldiers.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Israel sends instructions to Lebanon through Italy\|date=]\|publisher=Jerusalem Post\|url= http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150886016168&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull}}</ref>

	The ] frequently rejected pleas from Lebanon that it call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The Israeli newspaper ''Haaretz'' reported the U.S. was the sole member of the 15-nation UN body to oppose any council action at all at this time.<ref name="DN 2006-07-17">{{cite news\|url=http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/17/1423239 \|publisher=Democracy Now!\|title=Headlines for July 17, 2006}}</ref>
	<!--In order to resolve article size issues, this entire section and subsections has been moved to],please read the talk page of this article, and please visit the main page for this section.-->

	==International reaction==
	{{main\|International reactions to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}}
	{{Seealso\|International reactions to the 2006 Qana airstrike}}
	]]]
	International reactions to the conflict have included widespread concern over current damage and over the possible escalation of the crisis, as well as mixed support and criticism of both Hezbollah and Israel.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Developments in Israel-Lebanon Crisis \|publisher=Forbes \|date=07-13-06 \|url=http://www.forbes.com/business/energy/feeds/ap/2006/07/13/ap2877289.html}}</ref> A number of nations, including the ],<ref>{{cite news\|title=President Bush and German Chancellor Merkel Participate in Press Availability\|date=]\|accessdate=2006-07-15\|publisher=]\|author=]\|url= http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060713-4.html}}</ref> ], ], ] and ], have asserted Israel's right to ]. Further, the United States authorized Israel's request for the expedited processing and shipment of precision-guided bombs to Israel. The United States did not announce the shipment publicly.<ref>{{cite news\|title=US Rushes Precision-Guided Bombs to Israel\|date=]\|publisher=]\|author=]\|url=http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-07-22T050649Z_01_N21268027_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-BUSH-WEAPONS.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsHome-C1-topNews-2}}</ref> The majority (10) of the UN Security Council members have demanded an immediate cease-fire through a UN draft resolution, which was vetoed by the US and abstained from by 4 nations (], ], ], ]).<ref>{{cite news\|title=United States Vetoes Security Council Draft Resolution on Events in Gaza(.doc) \|publisher=United Nations \|date=07-13-06 \|url=http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8775.doc.html}}</ref>

	The EU has warned Israel about disproportionate attacks against Lebanon.<ref>{{cite news\|title=EU concerned over Israel's 'disproportionate' force \|publisher=Monsters and Critics \|date= 7-13-06 \|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1180594.php}}</ref> In addition spokespersons from the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Conference and an assortment of human rights organizations have condemned Israel for its “disproportionate” response to Hezbollah’s attacks.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Malignant Neglect \|publisher=Front Page Magazine \|date= 7-24-06 \|url=http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=23490}}</ref>

	Neighboring Middle Eastern nations have been split in their response. ], ] and ] have voiced strong support for Hezbollah,<ref>{{cite news\|title=Arabs divided over Hezbollah's role in Lebanon crisis \|publisher=Deutsche Presse-Agentur \|date=07-15-06 \|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1181183.php/%A0Arabs_divided_over_Hezbollahs_role_in_Lebanon_crisis}}</ref> and the ] has issued a statement condemning Israel's response. Iran has been reported as promising to supply a steady supply of weapons `"for the next stage of the confrontation". <ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060804/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_fighting_hezbollah_s_missiles</ref> In addition, Tehran reportedly sends Hezbollah $60-100 million per year. <ref> http://www.meib.org/articles/0201_l2.htm </ref> In contrast, ], ], and ] criticized Hezbollah's actions,<ref>{{cite news\|title=Militia Rebuked by Some Arab Countries \|publisher=The New York Times \|date=07-17-06 \|url=http://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/17/world/middleeast/17arab.html&OQ=_rQ3D1&OP=51537df4Q2F9F4)9TQ7BQ5B-Q5EQ7BQ7BkQ3B9Q3BCCn9CQ259mQ259FQ7BQ5EQ7DT9hbTTQ7D44x-k9mQ25xQ5Ex),qkhQ7D}}</ref> as well as Iran and Syria for extending support to the organization,<ref>{{cite news\|title=Arab world fed up with Hizbullah \|publisher=The Jerusalem Post \|date=07-17-06 \|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1150886029284&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull}}</ref> although they are under pressure to change their stance.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Public Challenges Arab Leaders on Lebanon Conflict \|publisher=NPR \|date=07-28-06 \|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5588672}}</ref>

	Protests and demonstrations have been held worldwide, and there have been numerous newspaper advertising campaigns, text and email appeals<ref>{{cite news\|title=Ads urge call for Lebanon ceasefire\|date=2006-07-28\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-5978797,00.html\|accessdate=2006-07-30}}</ref> and on-line petitions <ref>{{cite web\|title=Save the Lebanese Civilians Petition\|publisher=epetitions.net\|url=http://epetitions.net/julywar/index.php\|accessdate=2006-08-02}}</ref>. ] reportedly cited the conflict as the reason for his alleged shooting at the Jewish Federation building in ].<ref>Smith, Carol; Cat le, Phuong; & Rolph, Amy. , ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'', ], ].</ref>

	Various foreign governments have stepped in to assist in the evacuation of civilians<ref>{{cite news\|url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5189988.stm\|date = ]\|title = Lebanon evacuation gathers pace\|publisher = BBC News}}</ref> ; of their citizens from Lebanon.

	The Israeli ] in Qana on ] has led to widespread condemnation from around the world. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed the Unites States' desire for a mutually acceptable ceasefire as soon as possible but declined to call for an immediate halt to hostilities.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Rice says 'time to get to a ceasefire' in Lebanon - UPDATE\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2006/07/30/afx2913808.html}}</ref>

	==See also==
	{{Campaignbox Lebanon 2006}}
	{{Campaignbox Arab-Israeli conflict}}
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ] 1980s prospective peace agreement
	* ]
	* ] in 1982
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]

	{{Israel-Lebanon conflict}}

	==External links==
	===Independent media===
	* , including of the UN deployment
	*
	*
	* ]:
	*
	* , ]-winning site that provides a daily compilation of news broadcasts (translated and dubbed where needed) from news agencies throughout the Middle East
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*

	===Pro-Israeli media===
	*
	*

	===Pro-Lebanese media===
	* - Lebanese government
	* - The Center for Democracy in Lebanon

	===Pro-Hezbollah media===
	* - Hezbollah TV station.

	===Blog Reporting===
	====Israeli blogs====
	* — Israel@War: Special Edition at the ]
	* — Written mainly by Carmia, a resident of ]
	* — A New York born Israeli immigrant

	====Lebanese blogs====
	* — Finkployd's and other's regular war dispatches from ], as featured in the ''New York Times''<ref>{{cite news\|title=Anne Frank 2006: War Diaries Online\|date=]\|accessdate=2006-07-28\|publisher=]\|author=Tom Zeller Jr.\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/24/technology/24link.html?_r=1&oref=slogin}}</ref>
	* — "Commentary, analysis, human rights and development information, and diaries from on the ground"
	* — In-depth analysis on the political situation in Lebanon
	* — Personal commentary on the conflict, "trying to understand post-Syrian Lebanese politics and society"

	===Front-line photographs===
	''Warning: Extremely graphic wartime imagery''
	* — Graphic photographs<ref>{{cite news\|title=ISRAELI AIR ATTACK KILLS CIVILIANS\|date=]\|publisher=]\|url=http://edition.cnn.com/interactive/world/0607/gallery.israeli.airstrike/frameset.pics.exclude.html}}</ref> of Lebanese civilian casualties at the ]
	* — Satellite photograph of the ] neighborhood in the ] district of ], ], ''before'' the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.
	* — Satellite photograph of the ] neighborhood, ] ].
	* — Photographs of Lebanese civilian targets and casualties.
	* — Graphic photographs of Israeli military and civilian casualties.
	* — Graphic photographs of Lebanese civilian casualties at the ].

	==References==
	<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
	<references /></div>

	==More background==
	{{Arab-Israeli Conflict}}

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