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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 24 - Location Bint Jbeil, Southern Lebanon Result Ongoing
Belligerents
Israel Defense Forces	Hezbollah
Strength
Inconstant	100-200 assumed
Casualties and losses
13 killed. about 40 wounded	12-80+ dead Israel claims 70-80 confirmed Hezbollah fighters killed Hezbollah claims to have suffered 12 dead (not fully updated yet)

The Battle of Bint Jbeil is series of ongoing military actions and clashes in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which it regarded as a "Hezbollah stronghold." Started on July 24 2006, when Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) approached the town. Heavy gun battles between IDF soldiers and Hezbollah guerrillas took place. Some of the shooting was taking place at point-blank range, in homes, and in courtyards.

July 24 - July 29

On July 24 late night, one IDF soldier was killed when his Merkava tank flipped over after driving over a a powerful landmine. Another IDF soldier was killed when an anti-tank missile hit his Merkava.

On July 25, the battle began early in the morning when two Israeli companies from Golani Brigade's 51th Battalion, "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 (IDF) 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 IDF. 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, who covered a hand granade with his body to protect his soldiers .

"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 pilots 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," commander of "A" Company said. Most of the fighting took place at extremely short-range, sometimes only a few meters, also using hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades.

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 IDF troops pulled out of Bint Jbeil, after clashes with Hezbollah left 6 soldiers wounded and some 26 guerillas dead, according to the IDF. Armored forces continued to operate in the area, however.

Respite

As of July 30, Israel confirmed 10 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 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 forces withdrew from Bint Jbeil "having completed operations there" , and that Hezbollah still held the area .

August 6 - ongoing

External links

• Eight IDF soldiers killed in bitter Bint Jbail fighting
• Invaders lose at least 8 as Bint Jbeil holds"
• NY Times, For Israeli Unit, Hezbollah Lair Is Ambush Site

References

1. ^ "Israel-Hizbullah conflict: Victims of rocket attacks and IDF casualties". Israel, MFA.
2. "Heroism in the battle of Bint Jbail". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
3. ^ "'It was all so very fast - the shooting, the shouting'". Jerusalem Post. 2006-07-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. "'20 terrorists killed in Bint Jbeil'". Ynetnews. 2006-07-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. "IDF leaves Bint Jbail; 6 soldiers hurt in clashes with Hezbollah". Haaretz. 2006-07-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
6. "Hezbollah strikes deep into Israel", Al Jazeera, July 28, 2006
7. "Israel - Lebanon war: 12 Hizbullah fighters killed, Israeli soldiers wounded", Al Bawab, July 30, 2006
8. "Hezbollah leader: Israel continuing aggression at U.S.' behest", Haaretz, July 30, 2006
9. "'IDF Pulls Out of Bint Jbeil'". Israel Defense Forces. 2006-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
10. "The day Israel realised that this was a real war". The Guardian. 2006-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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