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

The battle

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

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

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

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

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

On July 29, Israel Defense Forces troops pulled out of Bint Jbeil, after clashes with Hezbollah left six soldiers wounded and some 26 guerillas dead, according to the IDF. {{cite news |title=IDF leaves Bint Jbail; 6 soldiers hurt in clashes with Hezbollah| date=2006-07-29| publisher=Haaretz| url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/743736.html</ref>

Aftermath

Israel confirmed 8 of its soldiers died in the battle. Dozens of Golani Brigade soldiers were evacuated into Israel.
Israel claims to have killed over 30 Hezbollah millitants.

External links

• http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3281683,00.html
• Heroism in the battle of Bint Jbail
• Eight IDF soldiers killed in bitter Bint Jbail fighting
• Invaders lose at least 8 as Bint Jbeil holds
• One soldiers' account

References

1. "'It was all so very fast - the shooting, the shouting'". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

• Current events
• 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
• Battles of Israel