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Battle of Bint Jbeil
Part of 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
Map of South Lebanon showing location of Bint Jbeil
Date July 25 - July 29 2006 Location Bint Jbeil, Southern Lebanon Result Hezbollah holds Bint Jbeil, IDF withdrawal
Belligerents
Israel Defense Forces	Hezbollah
Strength
Unknown	100-200
Casualties and losses
IDF Reports: 8 killed. 22 wounded	12-80+ dead Israel claims 70-80 confirmed Hezbollah fighters killed Hezbollah claims to have suffered 12 dead

The Battle of Bint Jbeil started on July 25 2006, when Israeli Defense Forces attempted to take the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which 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.

Battle

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

A company began supportive 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, Israeli Air Force 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 Brigade's 12th Battalion.

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

On July 28, troops from the Paratroopers Brigade's 101st battallion exchanged fire with Hezbollah and killed at least 20 fighters, according to Israeli sources. The fighters were of Hezbollah's elite forces, which were involved in the kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers. On July 29, the battle ended as Israeli Defense Forces troops pulled out of Bint Jbeil, after clashes with Hezbollah left 6 soldiers wounded and some 26 guerillas dead, according to the Israeli Defense Force. Armored forces continued to operate in the area, however.

Aftermath

Israel confirmed 8 of its soldiers died in the battle, although several international media organizations had initially reported 18 Israeli casualties. Dozens of Golani Brigade soldiers were evacuated into Israel. Israel claims to have killed over 70 Hezbollah millitants, although Hezbollah claims to have lost 32 in the entire conflict as of July 28 2006 and only 12 in Bint Jbeil. Hezbollah secretary Hassan Nasrallah said that Israel suffered a "serious defeat" in ground fighting around Bint Jbeil. And on July 30, it was reported that the IDF had effected a "withdrawal" from Bint Jbeil and that Hezbollah still held the area.

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

External links

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

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)
2. "'20 terrorists killed in Bint Jbeil'". Ynetnews. 2006-07-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
3. "IDF leaves Bint Jbail; 6 soldiers hurt in clashes with Hezbollah". Haaretz. 2006-07-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. "Hezbollah strikes deep into Israel", Al Jazeera, July 28, 2006
5. "Israel - Lebanon war: 12 Hizbullah fighters killed, Israeli soldiers wounded", Al Bawab, July 30, 2006
6. "Hezbollah leader: Israel continuing aggression at U.S.' behest", Haaretz, July 30, 2006
7. "The day Israel realised that this was a real war". The Guardian. 2006-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. "Survivors emerge from battered village". MSNBC. 2006-08-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

• 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
• Battles of Israel