Timeline of Military Operations in the 2006 Lebanon War

This is a timeline of Military operations of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.

July 12-July 19

Wednesday, July 12

The conflict began on July 12 when 8 Israeli soldiers were killed and a further two were captured during a cross-border attack. At 9:05 AM local time 2006Fact|date=June 2008 Hezbollah's military wing launched a barrage of rockets and mortars on the northern Israeli town of Shlomi, apparently as a diversion. [cite news | title=Clashes Spread to Lebanon as Hezbollah Raids Israel | date=2006-07-13| publisher=The New York Times| url= http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/13/world/middleeast/13mideast.html?hp&ex=1152849600&en=7c501785edb16cc8&ei=5094&partner=homepage]

An Israeli border patrol consisting of two armored IDF Humvees patrolling on the Israeli side of the border near the village of Zar'it was attacked with anti-tank rockets killing three soldiers, wounding three, and abducting two into Lebanon's territory. Hezbollah has named this operation "True Promise." [http://www.historyguy.com/israel-lebanon_war_2006.html] . The IDF confirmed that two Israeli soldiers were abducted from Israeli territory by Hezbollah, and identified them as Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. An Israeli Merkava Mark II tank was damaged by a 300 kg improvised explosive device as it crossed the border in Lebanon, attempting to pursue Hezbollah. All four of the crew members were killed. Another Israeli soldier was killed when he came under heavy fire during an attempted recovery of the bodies from the tank [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885976658&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull] . In all, 8 soldiers were killed, 2 captured and 6 wounded.cite news | title = Three IDF soldiers killed by anti-tank fire in village of Ayta a-Shab| date=2006-08-02| publisher=Haaretz|url= http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/745277.html] Israel's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mark Regev claims the Hezbollah unit that captured the two soldiers is trying to transfer them to Iran. However, the spokesman did not disclose his source. [cite news|title=Hizbullah wants soldiers moved to Iran|date= 2006-07-13|publisher=Jerusalem Post|url= http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885988710&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull] Israel attacked Hezbollah's TV station Al-Manar and radio station Al-Nour in Haret Hreyk (Harat Hurayk), a southern suburb of Beirut, and in Baalbeck.

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah later declared that "No military operation will return them [the captured soldiers] ... The prisoners will not be returned except through one way: indirect negotiations and a trade [of prisoners] ." [ [http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Palestine/200711 Hizbullah leader calls for prisoner exchange] - Al Bawaba - 12 July 2006]

The attacks came two weeks after the beginning of the Gaza Strip-focused Operation Summer Rains by the Israel Defense Forces whose objective was to free the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit captured on June 25, 2006 by Hamas militants in an earlier cross-border attack organized by Hamas that left two Israeli soldiers dead.

In negotiations for the 2004 prisoner exchange, Hezbollah had sought the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel. While many were released, Hezbollah failed to achieve the release of Samir Kuntar. Having failed to achieve this objective, Hassan Nasrallah declared that the organization would carry out further operations at a later date to gain the release of the remaining prisoners.cite news|title= Hezbollah: Group may kidnap more Israelis|date=2004-01-30|publisher=China Daily|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2004-01/30/content_301587.htm] The Hezbollah leader later called for talks on prisoner exchange which was officially rejected by Olmert.cite news|title = Israel rejects militants' demands over kidnapping|date=2006-06-26|publisher=Reuters|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-06-26T175855Z_01_SCH354578_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST.xml] However it is widely believed that negotiations are underway with Egypt as mediatorFact|date=February 2007.

Israel called together an emergency cabinet meeting, and said that it held the Beirut government responsible for the attack, vowing that it would pay a "heavy price" for the attacks, adding "The Lebanese government, of which Hezbollah is a part, is trying to shake regional stability". Plans to locate "thousands" of reserve troops were also announced. Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz also said that "the State of Israel sees itself free to use all measures that it finds it needs, and the [Israeli Forces] have been given orders in that direction." The United Nations envoy to the region, Geir Pedrson, condemned the Hezbollah action and called on Hezbollah to release the soldiers.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora denied any knowledge of the raid and stated that he did not condone it.cite news|title= Statement by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora|date=2006-06-17|publisher=Daily Star (Lebanon)|url=http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74027] An emergency meeting of the Lebanese government reaffirmed this position.cite news|title= Siniora's Cabinet makes clear it had nothing to do with 'what happened'|date=2006-06-13|publisher=Daily Star (Lebanon)|url=http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=73930] Hezbollah's action aroused varying reactions among Lebanese political forces. It was harshly criticised by many members of the largely anti-Syrian parliamentary majorityFact|date=February 2007, while Michel Aoun, despite his understanding with the party, declared that he supported the government's positionFact|date=February 2007.

In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a series of air and artillery strikes at positions in southern Lebanon, generally seen as the support base for Hezbollah. Israeli General Dan Halutz threatened to "turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years" [cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/12/mideast/|title= Israel Authorizes 'Severe' Response to Abductions|publisher=CNN|date=2006-07-12] in a reference to the destruction Lebanon suffered in its bloody civil war. Israeli troops later bombed a main road in the south of Lebanon leaving two civilians dead, and a series of air-raids followed during the night which also targeted the civilian infrastructure. Israel claimed that they were trying to prevent the captured soldiers from being removed to Iran. [cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006320366,00.html|title= Israel storms Lebanon|publisher=The Sun|date=2006-07-12]

Thursday, July 13

On Thursday, July 13, Israel began implementing a land and sea blockade on Lebanon. The Beirut International Airport (the sole international airport in Lebanon) was bombed, forcing all international flights to be diverted to Cyprus. The Israeli army said the airport had been used to smuggle in weapons to Hezbollah [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/13/mideast/index.html] . The sea ports were also blockaded by Israel. [cite news|title=Israel Imposing Blockade on Lebanon|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Associated Press|url=http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/13/D8IQVBP02.html]

Many roads and bridges were struck by Israel, essentially cutting off the predominantly Shia southern Lebanon from the Capital in Beirut, the south of Lebanon is considered Hezbollah's heartland. Warplanes also bombed the road to Damascus, the capital of Syria, [cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3275366,00.html|title=IDF bombs Hizbollah stronghold in Beirut|publisher=Ynetnews|date=2006-07-14|accessdate=2006-07-14|author=Greenberg, Hanan] and have struck a bridge in a suburb south of Beirut, a place highly valued by HezbollahFact|date=February 2007. They also struck a power plant's fuel storage south of Beirut (but did not destroy the plant itself). People living in this region heard at least three strikes. No casualties have been reported yet. [cite news|title=Israeli planes strike southern suburb of Beirut|date=2006-07-13|accessdate=2006-07-13|publisher=MSNBC|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13823680/] However, the strike eventually resulted in the spilling of over 15,000 tons of heavy fuel oil, affecting 50 miles of coastline and threatening aquatic life and fishing. [cite news|title=Power Plant Airstrike Leaves a Noxious Mess|date=2006-08-01|accessdate=2007-10-14|publisher=The Washington Post|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/31/AR2006073101086.html] Israeli jets attacked two Lebanese military air bases, destroying runways which Israel claims were used by the Hezbollah to transfer supplies. Attacks against the Rayak air base in the eastern Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border and the Qulayaat military airport (also known as Kleyate or Rene Mouawad airport) in northern Lebanon were the first attacks against Lebanon's army in the conflict. [cite news|title=Brink of War: Lebanon Launches Retaliatory Assault on Israel|accessdate=2006-07-13|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Fox News|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203253,00.html] [cite news|title=IAF strikes Lebanese Air Force base|date=2006-07-13| accessdate=2006-07-13|publisher=Jerusalem Post|url= http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885985413&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull] [cite news|title=Israeli Warplanes Attack Beirut Airport|date=2006-07-13|accessdate=2006-07-13|publisher=Associated Press|url= http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/13/D8IR5KV8H.html] cite news|title=IDF hits Lebanese army bases, won't rule out ground invasion|date=2006-07-13|accessdate=2006-07-13|publisher=Haaretz|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=737860&contrassID=1&subContrassID=0&sbSubContrassID=0]

An unnamed senior IDF officer stated that the strikes were targeted against rocket launch sites and rocket storerooms, although, he claimed, many of them were intentionally located by Hezbollah in civilian population centers.cite news|title=IDF: If Hadera is hit we'll destroy Beirut buildings|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Ynetnews|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3274939,00.html] cite news|title=IDF strikes Lebanon airfields|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Ynetnews|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3275180,00.html] An unnamed Lebanese official responded that "Hezbollah did not store arms in civilian areas.” Air strikes were also carried out against outposts of Hezbollah.cite news|title=Israel authorizes 'severe' response to abductions|date=2006-07-12|publisher=CNN|url= http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/12/mideast/index.html] Israel had named the overall operation "Just Reward", and Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam of the Northern Command, says Israel has not ruled out sending ground forces into Lebanon. [cite news|title=Iran denies Hizbullah moving captives|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Jerusalem Post|url= http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885988710&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull]

Hezbollah declared an all-out military alert, and said it had 13,000 rockets capable of hitting towns and installations far into northern Israel. As a result, Defense Minister Peretz told commanders to prepare civil defense plans, and some 220,000 Israeli civilians spent the night in bomb shelters.cite news|title=US blames Iran, Syria for Hizbollah capture|date=2006-07-12|publisher=Reuters|url= http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyid=2006-07-12T180458Z_01_LA622138_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-USA-capturINGS.xml] cite news |title=Israel battles militants on two fronts|date=2006-07-12|publisher=Reuters|url= http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-07-13T005819Z_01_L11538533_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST.xml] [cite news|title=14 people remain hospitalized in Ziv hospital in Safed|date=2006-07-14|publisher=Ynetnews|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/CdaNewsFlash/0,2297,L-3275530_3089,00.html] Hezbollah continued to fire rockets at Israel, killing one Israeli civilian, a 40-year-old in Nahariya, and wounding 14 others. Another Israeli civilian, a 33 year old man in Safed, later died from the wounds inflicted.

Hezbollah had threatened to hit the city Haifa, "if the southern suburbs and the city of Beirut are subjected to any direct Israeli aggression". Two rockets hit Haifa, hours after the threat.cite news|title=An Israeli sapper lifts the remains of a rocket that landed on mount Carmel in Israel's third largest city Haifa|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Getty Images|url=http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/details_pop.aspx?iid=71432630] Hezbollah denied firing any rockets at the city.cite news|title=Rockets hit Israeli city of Haifa |date=2006-07-13|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5178058.stm] [cite news|title=Israel Wages War on Hezbollah as Jets Strike Airbase|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Fox News|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203253,00.html] Israeli sources later reported that two rockets were fired from inside Lebanon. [cite news|title=Brink of War: Lebanon Launches Retaliatory Assault on Israel|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Fox News|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203253,00.html] Fact|date=June 2008 The attack is the first time rockets have hit so far south into Israel. One shock injury had been reported from these initial attacks on Haifa.Fact|date=June 2008 [cite news|title=Woman killed in Hizbullah attack in Nahariya|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Jerusalem Post|url= http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885985131&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull]

Twelve members of one Lebanese family were reported by Lebanese authorities to have been killed when Israeli planes bombed their home in the Lebanese village of Zibqine, near Tyre. According to the Lebanese government, in Dweir, a small village near Nabatiye, Israeli planes dropped a bomb onto the home of a local Shia Muslim cleric, killing him, his wife and eight of his children. Another family from that same village was also reported to have lost seven members following Israeli bombing. [cite news|url=http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1653097&issue_id=14347|title=Slaughter of the innocent children|date=2006-07-14|accessdate=2006-07-14|author=Fisk, Robert (requires registration)] [cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=73960|title=50 more civilians die as leaflets warn residents to avoid areas 'frequented by Hizbullah'|date=2006-07-14|accessdate=2006-07-14|author=El Rafei, Raed] Israel intensified its response on Lebanon by attacking the Beirut International Airport and damaging three runways. [cite news|title=Israeli warplanes attack Beirut airport|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Associated Press|author=Ghattas, Sam F|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060713/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_lebanon]

The Lebanese government called for a Cease-fire, claiming the Israeli response was "disproportionate", a view echoed by France and Russia. 35 Lebanese civilians are believed to have been killed. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5175160.stm Israel imposes Lebanon blockade] - BBC News - Thursday, 13 July 2006]

Friday, July 14

The Israeli offensive into Lebanon continues, and for the first time the offices of Hezbollah are bombed. Hezbollah declares "open war".cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203453,00.html|title=Hezbollah: We're Ready for 'Open War' With Israel|date= 2006-07-14|publisher=Fox News] [cite news | url = http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5557835 | title = Israeli Attacks Increase; Hezbollah Vows 'Open War' | last = Ludden | first = Jennifer | date = 2006-07-14 | accessdate = 2006-07-17 | publisher = National Public Radio ]

The Israeli Sa'ar 5-class missile boat "INS Hanit" that was blockading the waters 10 nautical miles off of the Lebanese coast was critically damaged in the stern after being hit by a C-802 (Yingji-82) anti-ship missile. Various sources are reporting that the missile is Chinese-made while others report that it was Iranian-made or procured from Iran, a charge which Iran denies. [cite news|url=http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5155694|title=Israel Bombs Beirut in Night Attacks|publisher=KLTV|date=2006-06-15|accessdate=2006-06-17] [cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3275923,00.html|title=Missing sailor’s body recovered|publisher=ynet|date=2006-06-15|accessdate=2006-06-17] [cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/16/mideast/index.html|title=Hezbollah rockets kill 8 in Haifa|publisher=CNN|date=2006-06-16|accessdate=2006-06-15] It is known that China has provided Iran with this type of missile in the past. [cite news|url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/hy-1.htm|title=Federation of American Scientists Missile Datasheet|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|date=1999-08-10|accessdate=2006-06-17] [cite news|url=http://www.meib.org/articles/0203_irn1.htm|title=Iran's Burgeoning WMD Programs|publisher=Middle East Intelligence Bulletin|date=2002-04|accessdate=2006-06-17] [ [http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7004221531 Israeli Ship Struck By Missile Returning To Port; Israeli Offensive Continues] - All Headline news - July 14, 2006] Early on there were mistaken reports that it had been hit by an unmanned aerial vehicle packed with explosives, and that there was no serious damage to the ship.cite news|title=IDF confirms warship hit by explosive-laden UAV|date=2006-07-14|publisher=Jerusalem Post|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885994586&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull] [ [http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/ap/2006/07/14/ap2880516.html "Israel Says Warship Attacked by Drone"] , AP, 14 July, 2006] Israel immediately recovered one sailor's body, and three more were found two days later. [cite news|title=Day-by-day: Lebanon crisis'|date=2006-07-15|publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5179434.stm] [cite news|title=4 Israelis Missing After Warship Hit|date=2006-07-14|publisher=Associated Press|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MIDEAST_FIGHTING_WARSHIP?SITE=7219&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-07-14-16-17-05]

An Egyptian civilian merchant ship, the Moonlight, [ [http://www.thenewanatolian.com/ap-133856.html Hezbollah guerrillas hit Egyptian merchant ship, AP, July 15, 2006] ] was hit by a Hezbollah rocket, caught in the cross-fire as Hezbollah was firing on the Israelis. [cite news|title=Egypt confirms ship hit off Lebanon, crew safe|date=2006-07-15|publisher=Reuters|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/15/AR2006071500593.html] The ship was registered in Cambodia, but sailing under Egyptian flag, carrying several hundred tons of cement. The ship sank in minutes, but the Egyptian crew managed to board lifeboats and was picked up by another civilian vessel. One crewman, however, was seriously injured. [ [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19806456-23109,00.html Merchant vessel hit by rockets] - News Corporation - July 16, 2006]

Hezbollah launched about 100 Katyusha rockets on Israeli towns of Nahariya, Safed, Hatzor HaGlilit, Rosh Pina, Kiryat Shmona, and Karmiel, and in the agricultural settlements Mattat, Sasa, Peki'in, Beit Jan, Biria, Biranit, Kabri, Gesher Haziv, Saar and Ben Ami, resulting in 30 injuries. [cite news|title=Safed: Man seriously injured in Katyusha attack|date=2006-07-14|publisher=Ynet|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3275609,00.html] Late the same day, a Katyusha in Meron killed two people, a grandmother and her 5-year-old grandson, and residents of Haifa are reportedly being ordered into bomb shelters. [cite news|title=Haifa residents told to remain in protected areas|date= 2006-07-14|publisher=Ynetnews|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3275577,00.html] [cite news|title=Anxious northern Israel endures rocket fire|date2006-07-14|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/14/israel.anxiety.ap/index.html] cite news|title=Katyusha rockets hit Galilee|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Ynetnews|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3275440,00.html] [cite news|title=Northern Israel under attack; missile fired at Haifa|date=2006-07-14|publisher=Ynetnews|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3275229,00.html]

The Jerusalem Post reported that an attempt by a group of Hezbollah members to enter Israel was stopped by IDF. [cite news|title=IDF forces foil infiltration attempt on northern border|date=2006-07-14|publisher=Jerusalem Post|]

The number of Lebanese civilians killed in the Israeli strikes rises above 50, and the United Nations convened an emergency meeting of the Security Council where Lebanon accused Israel of launching "a widespread barbaric aggression". [ [http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/International/2006/07/15/1686055-sun.html Lebanon hammers Israeli 'aggression'] - London Free Press, Can. - Sat, July 15, 2006]

aturday, July 15

Three Patriot anti-ballistic missile batteries were deployed in Haifa. These are aimed at intercepting missiles launched at Haifa. The last time Patriot missiles were deployed to the region was in 2003, during the Iraq War. [cite news|title=3 Patriot batteries stationed in Haifa|date= 2006-07-15|publisher=Ynetnews|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3276133,00.html]

Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz has declared martial law throughout north Israel. [cite news|title=Martial law declared in the North|date= 2006-07-15|publisher=Jerusalem Post|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150886008109&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull]

On July 15, Israel attacked commercial ports in the towns of Beirut and Tripoli, as well as ports in Jounieh and Amsheet, two predominantly Christian towns. [cite news|title=Israel kills 35 civilians in strikes on Lebanon|date=July 15 2006 6:02 PM ET|publisher=Reuters|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060715/wl_nm/mideast_dc_361]

A witness reported that at least 15 Lebanese villagers were killed on July 15 in an Israeli air strike on vehicles fleeing a village in southern Lebanon. The convoy left the border village of Marwahin, was refused asylum in a U.N. base and afterwards it was attacked. [de icon cite news|url=http://www.stern.de/politik/ausland/:Nahost-Krise-Neue-Angriffe-Beirut/565731.html|title=Zwölf Tote bei Angriff im Süden Libanons|accessdate=2006-07-15|publisher=Stern Online] It is also reported that some hours before the strike, Israeli forces had told the inhabitants of the village to evacuate by loudspeaker. [cite news|url=http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&7A36B5C335B9F6BAC22571AC003AE7A3|title=Bloodiest Day in Israel's War on Lebanon Kills Over a Dozen Civilians|accessdate=2006-07-15|publisher=Naharnet] [cite news|url=http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=L1553110|title=Fleeing Lebanon villagers caught in Israeli inferno|date=2006-07-15|accessdate=2006-07-15|publisher=Reuters]

unday, July 16

On the morning of July 16, several barrages of Katyusha rockets hit the northern cities of Haifa, Acre, and Nahariya, and explosions were also heard in Rosh HaNikra. Eight were killed in Haifa, and several were seriously wounded when unguided rockets hit a railway maintenance depot. Al-Manar has reported that the Hezbollah attack included a Fajr-3 and a Ra'ad 1 liquid-fuel missiles, developed by Iran. [cite news|title=Hezbollah rockets kill 9 in Israeli city |date=2006-07-16|publisher=|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3276843,00.html] On Sunday evening Hezbollah militants attempted to infiltrate an Israel Defense Forces post on the Lebanese Border.

Vladimir Putin said that "Israel may be pursuing other aims in Lebanon than saving two soldiers taken hostage" on July 16. [http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060716/51408609.html]

On July 16, Lebanese President Émile Lahoud and Lebanese military sources stated that Israeli forces had used white phosphorus incendiary bombs against civilian targets on villages in the Arqoub area in the South [cite news|title=Lebanon under Israeli attack: Sunday Roundup|date=2006-07-16|publisher=The Daily Star|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=73994] [cite news|title=Assault on Lebanon makes mockery of Geneva Conventions|date=2006-07-16|publisher=The Daily Star|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74043] accusing Israel of using banned weapons against Lebanese civilians. [http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/11438.asp] [http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&q=Israel+using+banned+weapons+&btnG=Search+News] This claim has not been verified. (However, according to several sources, mainly UN, Israel artillery sprayed the entire Southern Lebanon with cluster bombs, mostly outdated surplus from previous wars, some as old as 1982. As much as 2/3 of the explosives was reported unexploded, and according to UN mine clearing units as of March 2008 still on average killing or wounding one Lebanese every second day. UN has to date disarmed 160.000 hidden bomb units but believes to have another million to go.)

On July 16, Sky News reported that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was wounded in a morning air strike on his Beirut compound, though Hezbollah affiliated sources have denied the reports as propaganda. [cite news|title=Report: Nasrallah wounded; Hizbullah denies report|date=2006-07-16|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150886011769&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull] News services report that three explosions have been heard in Beirut. Hezbollah TV reports that the air strike destroyed a building containing the headquarters of Hezbollah, with Hezbollah's chief, Hassan Nasrallah, likely inside. He was not harmed, however, and has since released a videotape. [cite news|title=Israeli ships, planes renew Beirut airport attacks|date=2006-07-14|accessdate=2006-07-14|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/14/mideast/index.html] [cite news|title=Israel Strikes Beirut; Hezbollah Barrages N. Israel With Rockets|date=2006-07-14|accessdate=2006-07-14|publisher=Fox News|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203453,00.html] [cite news|title=Israel destroys Hezbollah headquarters in south Beirut|date=2006-07-14|accessdate=2006-07-14|publisher=Drudge Report|url=http://www.drudgereport.com/flash7hb.htm]

Monday, July 17

The Hezbollah leader, Nasrallah, said in his third televised speech since the conflict began that "In the beginning, we started to act calmly, we focused on Israel military bases and we didn't attack any settlement, Hizbullah militants had destroyed military bases, while the "Israelis" killed civilians and targeted Lebanon's infrastructure." He added that Hezbollah's arsenal had yet to take a direct hit "and so far we have used a small portion of our weaponry." [ [http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74020 Hizbullah leader promises enemy 'more surprises'] - Daily Star (Lebanon) - Monday, July 17, 2006.]

On July 17, 2006, three rounds of Hezbollah rockets struck the port city of Haifa, wounding two people and partially destroying a three-story residential building. [cite news|title=2 wounded in Hezbollah strike on Haifa |date=2006-07-17|publisher=The News-Sentinel|url=http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/local/15056871.htm] Rockets were also reported to have hit the town of Atlit, 56 km south of the border and 8 km south of Haifa. No injuries were reported. [cite news|title=Israel hammers at Lebanese infrastructure | 2006-07-17|publisher=The Associated Press|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LEBANON_ISRAEL?SITE=NYPLA&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&SECTION=HOME] Hezbollah reportedly struck a hospital in the Northern Israel town of Safed. [cite news|title=Radio Broadcast on ABC Radio Network |publisher=The Associated Press] The Israeli army says that 15 cities were hit by rockets in a late night raid injuring 5 people when a rocket hit a synagogue. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5189726.stm Israeli jets in new Lebanon raids] - BBC News - Tuesday, 18 July 2006]

Some Israeli ground troops briefly advanced approximately 1 km into Lebanon and leveled Hezbollah border outposts with bulldozers in an effort to make it difficult for Hezbollah to reestablish its border presence. [cite news|url=http://www.wral.com/apworldnews/9526076/detail.html|title=Israel Briefly Sends Troops Into Lebanon|date=2006-07-17|accessdate=2006-07-17|publisher=WRAL-TV]

Tuesday, July 18

On July 18, 13 civilians from two families were killed in an air raid on the southern town of Aytaroun, reports indicates that the dead included nine children, taking the death toll to more than 200. [cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0529EDB8-8164-470C-BBB8-72734692D22C.htm|title=Lebanon toll passes 200|date=2006-07-17|accessdate=2006-07-17|publisher=Al Jazeera] The UAE Red Crescent Society condemned Israel's attack on medical and relief convoy in Lebanon. [cite news|url=http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1153223002760&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews|title=UAE's RCS condemns Israel's attack on relief convoy in Lebanon|date=2006-07-18|accessdate=2006-07-18|publisher=WAM] [cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19840483-1702,00.html|title=Bombed trucks were 'carrying food'|date=2006-07-19|accessdate=2006-07-19|publisher=The Australian]

Wednesday, July 19

On July 19, the Israeli military said aircraft dropped 23 tons of explosives on what it believed was a bunker for senior Hezbollah leaders in the Bourj al-Barajneh neighborhood of Beirut between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.. Hezbollah said none of its members was hurt and denied a leadership bunker was in the area, saying a mosque under construction was hit. [http://www.forbes.com/business/healthcare/feeds/ap/2006/07/20/ap2893194.html]

According to CNN, Israel made an incursion into Southern Lebanon to destroy outposts of the militant group Hezbollah. An IDF spokesman said the troops are "close to the border" however no further details were given as to the success of the operation. [cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/18/mideast/index.html|title=Israel enter southern Lebanon|date=2006-07-19|accessdate=2006-07-19|publisher=CNN] Israeli leadership denies these claims.

Two Israeli soldiers and at least four Hezbollah militant were killed and nine Israeli soldiers were wounded. One Israeli Merkava Mark II tank was damaged by a mortar round.

Two Israeli Arab children were killed in Nazareth as a result of a Hezbollah rocket attack.

By July 19, heavy damage to Lebanon's infrastructure had been reported, with a total of 42 bridges destroyed and 38 roads damaged. and extensive damage to telecommunications, electricity, ports, airports, and even private sector facilities, including a milk factory and food warehouses. [cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/3d4f89d2-168d-11db-8b7b-0000779e2340.html|title=Lebanon puts costs of raids at $2bn|date=2006-07-19|accessdate=2006-07-17|publisher=FT.com] Damage to fuel containers in Jiyye and 12 service stations in Bir Abed, Khiam, Ain Ibl, Moseileh, Rmeileh, Houla, Hesbe, Tyre, Kfar Kila, and Dourisraised the likelihood of fuel shortages. [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=2006-07-18|accessdate=2006-07-19|publisher=FT.com]

July 20-July 31

Thursday, July 20

On July 20, there was further fighting inside the Lebanese border between IDF soldiers and Hezbollah militants. According to Captain Eric Scheider from the IDF, there had been heavy fighting in two places inside the Lebanese border. At least, five Israeli soldiers and two Hezbollah militants were killed and 11 Israeli soldiers were wounded in the fighting. In one clash, just across the border from the Israeli town of Avivim, guerrillas fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli tank, destroying it and seriously wounding one soldier. Hezbollah claims to have shot down an Israeli helicopter and destroyed two tanks during the encounter. It was also reported that an Israeli army armored bulldozer was destroyed by an anti-tank missile. Separately, two Israeli Apache helicopters crashed into each other over northern Israel, leaving one soldier dead and three wounded. [cite news|url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107AP_Israel_Helicopters.html|title=4 hurt when 2 Israeli helicopters collide|date=2006-07-20|accessdate=2006-07-20|publisher=AP] This comes as Israel claims it has carried out 80 air strikes in Lebanon early on Thursday. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5197186.stm|title=Israeli incursion continues|date=2006-07-20|accessdate=2006-07-20|publisher=BBC]

Friday, July 21

On July 21, Israel continued airstrikes against Lebanon while massing troops on the border and calling up five battalions of army reservists (3000 reserves) for a possible ground invasion. Between 300-500 Israeli soldiers backed by 30 tanks were already believed to be over the border. [cite news|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L20774981.htm|title=Israel calls up reservists, Rice announces trip|date=2006-07-21|accessdate=2006-07-21|publisher=Reuters Alertnet] Roughly 70 percent of Lebanese civilians living in south Lebanon fled north, and the Lebanese defense minister stated that in the event of an Israeli ground invasion that the Lebanese army would fight alongside Hezbollah. Hezbollah continued firing rockets at the Israeli town of Haifa injuring 20 Israelis while Israeli jets hit Shiite districts in Beirut’s southern suburbs, the eastern Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon around sunrise, killing 12 Lebanese. [cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/21/world/middleeast/21cnd-mide.html|title=Israel Calls Up Reserves, a Sign of Wider Ground Raids|date=2006-07-21|accessdate=2006-07-21|publisher=New York Times] German and Russian intelligence were reportedly seeking the release of the captured IDF soldiers. [cite news|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2106057,00.html|title=Paper: German Intelligence Seeks Release of Israeli Hostages|date=2006-07-21|accessdate=2006-07-21|publisher=Deutsche-Welle]

aturday, July 22

On July 22, close to 2,000 troops entered southern Lebanon, though some returned to Israel during the day. IDF forces seized the Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras, a village reputed to be a staging area for Hezbollah [cite news|url=http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2006/07/22/ap/headlines/d8j1875g1.txt|title=Israeli Army Continues Lebanon Offensive|date=2006-07-22|accessdate=006-07-22|publisher=WCFCourier] and targeted a religious complex in Sidon. Hezbollah said that two fighters were killed. Israeli jets bombed television and cellphone transmission towers in Christian areas north of Beirut killing one person. Israeli airstrikes also targeted sites around the southern Lebanese village of Khiyam, seeking out Hezbollah positions and rocket launchers, and blasted road traffic around the coastal city of Tyre. Beirut was struck as were roads connecting Lebanon and Syria. [cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/world/middleeast/23mideast.html|title=Israel Presses Air Raids on Lebanon|date=2006-07-22|accessdate=006-07-22|publisher=New York Times] A total of 124 targets deep inside Lebanon were targeted, killing 5 Lebanese. Israeli officials stated that no full-scale invasion of Lebanon was planned, but warned villagers in fourteen south Lebanon villages to leave and thousands of Lebanese fled to the north to the port city of Sidon. American officials said that deliveries of precision guided bombs were being expedited to Israel due to an Israeli request. Over 160 rockets were fired by Hezbollah, hitting towns across northern Israel and injuring 16 people. An IDF soldier sustained light-to-moderate wounds Saturday when Hezbollah fired on an outpost near the Lebanese border.

unday, July 23

On July 23, Israeli air raids hit Beirut and east and south Lebanon, killing eight civilians and wounding 100, many of them in Tyre. [cite news|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22849465.htm|title=Israel and Lebanon under fire, civilians bear brunt|date=2006-07-23|accessdate=006-07-23|publisher=Reuters] Six Israeli bombs fell on the coastal city of Tyre in a 20-minute span, killing one civilian and wounding about 45. Three civilians were killed by an Israeli bombing as they were evacuating south Lebanon. A textile factory in the border town of al-Manara was struck, killing one person and injuring two. In Baalbek, strikes leveled an agricultural compound and wounded five. A factory producing prefab houses near the highway linking Beirut to Damascus was targeted and a transmission factory in Fatqa was also leveled. About 270 airstrikes were conducted throughout Lebanon. Meanwhile, roughly 90 rockets struck northern Israel killing two people in Haifa and wounding 70. Hezbollah said three of its guerrillas were killed in fighting. Israel accuses Hezbollah of vastly underreporting casualties.

Israeli officials stated they would accept an international force led by NATO to keep Hezbollah guerrillas away from the border. The Syrian Information Minister stated that Syria would enter the war if IDF forces threatened Syria as the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister indicated a willingness to engage American officials in dialogue and pressed for a ceasefire. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton said it was "hard to see" benefits from a Syrian-American dialogue but was open to a NATO-led force in Lebanon. [cite news|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N23408783.htm|title=US open to NATO-led force in Lebanon - Bolton|date=2006-07-23|accessdate=006-07-23|publisher=Reuters] Regarding any multinational presence, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora told CNN "it's very early to talk about this matter". [cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/world/23cnd-policy.html|title=U.S. Open to NATO Force in Lebanon, Bolton Says|date=2006-07-23|accessdate=006-07-23|publisher=New York Times]

Monday, July 24

On July 24, Israeli troops advanced further into southern Lebanon where they encountered heavy resistance. IDF forces engaged Hezbollah guerrillas in Bint Jbail, the largest Lebanese town near the border. IDF sources reported that two Israeli soldiers were killed and 20 were wounded. Two tanks were also damaged. An Apache helicopter on its way to support the ground force in Bint Jbeil crashed in Northern Israel, killing two IAF pilots. [cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1153291986984&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|title=Division commander: Cause of Apache crash still unclear|date=2006-07-24|accessdate=006-07-24|publisher=Jerusalem Post] Hezbollah stated that it shot down the helicopter; however, the IDF said the cause was under investigation and was possibly due to friendly fire. Hezbollah said three of their fighters were killed. Israel claims larger casualties. Near the end of fighting Monday, the IDF forces controlled a hilltop in Bint Jbail while Hezbollah remained in control of the rest of the city. Israel halted airstrikes in Beirut due to a surprise visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Airstrikes continued in south Lebanon, killing seven near Tyre. Hezbollah continued to fire rockets into Northern Israel, wounding 13 with roughly 100 rockets. [cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/24/AR2006072400597_2.html
title=Israeli Forces Push Deeper Into Lebanon|date=2006-07-24|accessdate=006-07-24|publisher=Washington Post]

Tuesday, July 25

On July 25, the IDF intensified its operations in Lebanon with over 100 strikes in southern Lebanon and fresh assaults on Beirut. [cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14021722/|title=Israeli forces resume strikes on Beirut|date=2006-07-25|accessdate=006-07-25|publisher=MSNBC] Seven were killed in Nabatieh when an Israeli shell struck a house, and twelve were killed Tuesday evening in the Dhaiya quarter of Beirut. Two houses were also destroyed east of Tyre. Fighting continued between IDF forces and Lebanese guerrillas near Bint Jbeil with IDF forces surrounding the town. Eight IDF soldiers were lightly wounded. Hezbollah said seven of its members were killed, and fellow Shiite group Amal said four of its members had been killed. [cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74247|title=Fighting rages as Israel besieges Hezbollah border HQ|date=2006-07-25|accessdate=006-07-25|publisher=The Daily Star] During the course of the day, Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets into northern Israel. In Haifa, one civilian died of a heart attack during rocket fire as 20 more were injured. Rockets also killed one and injured three in Maghar.

Israeli officials indicated that they planned to maintain a ground presence in south Lebanon until a multinational peacekeeping force was deployed there, preferably NATO. [cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74263|title=Israel says ground forces will stay in South|date=2006-07-25|accessdate=006-07-25|publisher=The Daily Star]

Wednesday, July 26

On July 26, the IDF continued operations in Lebanon with 60 strikes primarily on military targets. During the raids, 13 civilians in Tyre were injured. Two truck drivers were killed when the IAF fired missiles at supply vehicles. One aid worker and three wounded near the Syrian border. Air strikes also killed four unarmed UN observers with artillery strikes and precision guided munitions, in what UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called a deliberate strike. Their position was well known, and repeated calls were made to request that Israel stop the attacks. [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14034540/ Israel: 'Deep regret' over U.N. strike - Mideast/N. Africa - MSNBC.com ] ]

In south Lebanon, nine IDF soldiers were killed and 27 wounded as they battled Hezbollah guerrillas near the border. [cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/743027.html|title=Nine IDF soldiers killed in bitter south Lebanon fighting|date=2006-07-26|accessdate=006-07-26|publisher=Haaretz] The casualties sustained by the Israelis were the highest since the initiation of conflict. Hezbollah fired 151 rockets into northern Israel, injuring 31. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel planned to maintain a 2 km security zone from the border free of Hezbollah as talks continued in Rome for an international peacekeeping force. Lebanese officials arrested 50 on charges of spying for Israel.

Thursday, July 27

The IDF carried out over 120 air strikes in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa valley and Beirut. At least 11 were killed. [cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74322|title=Israel readies more troops for Lebanon conflict|date=2006-07-28|accessdate=006-07-28|publisher=The Daily Star] Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon fired over 100 Katyusha rockets at targets in northern Israel landing across the Galilee and Hula Valley. Thirteen were lightly injured. [cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/743555.html|title=Katyushas hit communities across north; 20 lightly wounded|date=2006-07-28|accessdate=006-07-28|publisher=Haaretz] Israeli officials indicated that they planned not to expand ground operations from the their current scope despite pressure from the military. The decision was made, however, to intensify air strikes. In addition, three divisions of reservists (15,000 troops) were mobilized.

Friday, July 28

Lebanese officials reported that Israel conducted over 130 air raids (killing 13) while an Israeli police spokesman said that Hezbollah fired 97 rockets into Northern Israel (wounding 3). [cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/20236FF4-957C-4761-B57F-F61EFFCE6705.htm|title=Hezbollah strikes deep into Israel|date=2006-07-28|accessdate=006-07-28|publisher=Al Jazeera] Hezbollah fired a new kind of rocket it called the Khaibar-1 which struck near the Israeli town of Afula. The rocket has a 100 kg warhead, which is significantly more powerful than the Katyusha rockets, and may be the same as Fajr-5 rocket. The IDF reported that 26 gunmen were killed in clashes near the southern Lebanon town of Maroun Al Ras, Bint Jbeil and Eitaroun. Shelling was also conducted on Al Nabatiyya and Sour in addition to areas in Al Biqa plains, 14 Lebanese fatalities were reported.cite news | title=Army shells several areas in southern Lebanon | date=2006-07-29| publisher=IMEMC & Agencies| url= http://www.imemc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20437&Itemid=173]

In Israel, there was disagreement between Mossad intelligence which says Hezbollah will be able to continue fighting at the current level for a long time and military intelligence which believes Hezbollah has been severely damaged. [cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/743736.html|title=IAF takes out launcher used to fire missiles at Afula area|date=2006-07-28|accessdate=006-07-28|publisher=Haaretz] Other scholars have also questioned the Israeli reliance on air power. [cite news|url=http://www.brookings.edu/views/op-ed/gordon/20060725.htm|title=Israel against Hezbollah: Air Power Won't Do It|date=2006-07-25|accessdate=006-07-25|publisher=Brookings Institution]

The Mehr news agency in Iran said Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was in Damascus for meetings on the crisis, but gave no other details. Furthermore, Iran‘s state news agency confirmed Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah’s presence in Damascus. Although Hezbollah has received significant Iranian assistance in the past, Iranian officials denied assisting Hezbollah in the current conflict. [cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1153292020585&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|title=Iran denies giving aid to Hizbullah|date=2006-07-28|accessdate=006-07-28|publisher=Jerusalem POst]

aturday, July 29

"IDF leaves Bint Jbeil area."Israeli newspaper declared. During the morning hours most of the units who took part in Bint Jbeil began to withdraw from the area. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3283102,00.html] The battle for Bint Jbail has symbolized Israel's difficulty in pushing guerrillas back from the border, whether by air bombardment or ground assault. Armored forces are still fighting. [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/4080960.html] Israel has declared it succeed in it mission and killed more than 70 militant in Bin Jbeil. It was reported the next day that this had been an IDF "withdrawal" and that Hizbollah still held Bint Jbeil. [cite news | title=The day Israel realised that this was a real war | date=2006-07-30| publisher=Guardian-Observer| url= http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1833349,00.html]

There were IDF missile attacks around the area of Al Safeer, in the Al Dahia Al Janoubiyya area of Beirut, and shelling of the Jarhou’ area in southern Lebanon. North of Beirut IDF shelling destroyed the Al Assy Bridge. Shelling attacks were also made against Jabal Abu Rashid, Borka, Jbour and Al Nahry in Al Biqa plains. Sahl Al Khiyam, in Marj Oyoun area, in southern Lebanon were also shelled with artillery as well as Al Tayba and Markaba villages. The area around Sour city and outlying villages was also shelled. An IDF spokeswoman said that the IDF had attacked 51 targets overnight and on Saturday at dawn, destroying 37 buildings used by Hezbollah.

IDF deployed a Patriot interceptor missile battery north of Tel Aviv, in response to Hezbollah firing Khaibar-1 rockets at Afula on 28 July. [cite news | title=500,000 Israelis Living in Bomb Shelters| date=2006-07-29| publisher=ABC News| url= http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2250708&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312]

unday, July 30

:"See also 2006 Qana airstrike."Under cover of artillery strikes IDF ground troops pushed towards the villages of Taiba and Adisa. The IDF said the village was being used as a launching site for rocket attacks. One IDF soldier was shot and wounded near Adisa. A quantity of weapons were also recovered. IDF jets bombed unreported targets in Khiyam and the bombing of Qana caused a large number of civilian fatalities. [cite news | title=Fresh ground assault on Hizbullah villages | date=2006-07-31| publisher=The Guardian| url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1833964,00.html]

Fire from Regular Lebanese Army in Yammouni was reported against IDF Choppers attempting to land in the area. The Lebanese dispersed following airstrikes by IDF. [cite news | title=Lebanese army stops Israeli helicopters landing | date=2006-07-30| publisher=Reuters| url= http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L30832182.htm]

Monday, July 31

Despite a reported qualified suspension in Israeli aerial activity beginning on midnight 30 July IDF bombers hit the area around Tayba. CNN reported that the Israeli Army had explained the bombing was to "protect ground forces operating in the border area and were not aimed at specific targets". The bombing lead to damage of an unspecified number of Lebanese Army vehicles in the area. The Israeli Army apologised for the damage.cite news | title = Israeli airstrikes hit new targets| date=2006-07-31| publisher=CNN|url= http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/31/mideast.main/index.html]

On 31 July 2006 , Hezbullah said that it's forces hit an Israeli corvette near the city of Tyre , Israel denied that any of its ships was hit.

One Lebanese Army personnel was killed, and three were injured in an IDF Naval attack on the Lebanese military base north of Tyre. The towns of Al-Awayda area, Kafr Shuba' and Kafr Hamam were also hit with IDF artillery strikes. The Tyre - Kila area was also the scene of IDF airstrikes, a ground incursion, and clash with Hezbollah which left three IDF Tank personnel wounded.cite news | title = Israeli strikes resume after brief lull
date=2006-07-31| publisher=Houston Chronicle|url= http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4083393.html] There were unconfirmed reports of a late night incursion by IDF on the western range of the Lebanese mountains and four Israeli IAF raids targeted the Faraya road around Hermel in the Bekaa valley.

August 1-August 4

Tuesday, August 1

Hezbollah said its fighters managed to destroy an Israeli warship of the coast of Tyre, though Israel disputed the claim. Shelling of Mansouri, Shamaa and Teir Harfan took place by IDF Naval units. Operations continued around Hermel with an attack on a pickup truck loaded with cooking gas tanks, and 5 strikes on a road linking eastern Lebanon to western regions and coastline. Attacks were also reported around the Masnaa crossing into Syria, which had been subject to a series of attacks in the last three days. Two of the four border crossings into Syria are now closed because of damage- the main Beirut-Damascus highway was described by the Jerusalem Post as "impassable" due to previous attacks. Defense Minister Peretz said that attacks would continue on targets which he reportedly described as "convoys smuggling weapons across the border into Lebanon".cite news | title = IAF resumes air strikes in Bekaa Valley| date=2006-08-01| publisher=Jerusalem Post|url= http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=2&cid=1153292046965&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull] Shelling of the Ba'labak area near the Syrian border and several areas in Al Biqa' region were also reportedly hit with shelling and three air strikes. Six airstrikes reportedly hit the village of Sour. Al-Jazeera TV reported that Israeli aircraft bombed Bayyada, and Mansoureh. The IDF reported claimed that twenty Hezbollah fighters in the villages of Al Taiba and Al Adasiyya were killed during fighting in the areas since 30 July.cite news | title = Three Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon| date=2006-08-01| publisher=IMEMC|url= http://www.imemc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20516&Itemid=173]

:"see: Battle of Ayta al-Sha`b"A clash between IDF Paratroopers & Hezbollah was reported to have taken place around Ayta a-Shaab with three IDF dead by anti-tank fire with the IDF saying twenty Hezbollah died in the fighting. The IDF later confirmed the Hezbollah dead as ten.Hezbollah issued a statement saying that the IDF had killed three Hezbollah fighters during fighting around Kfar Kila, Adaisse, and Taibeh, near the Lebanese town of Marjayoun. Hezbollah gave its fatalities since 13 July as forty-eight in total. While the IDF reported four Hezbollah dead.cite news | title = Lebanon: Three Hizbullah fighters, three Israeli troops die in clashes| date=2006-08-01| publisher=www.albawaba.com|url= http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Lebanon/201429] Five rockets and a number of mortar shells were fired at the western Galilee between Rosh HaNikra and Ma'alot on Tuesday wounding five IDF.

Wednesday, August 2

Between evening of 1 August and early on 2 August IDF Commandos were reported to be engaged in fighting around Dar al-Hikma Hospital in Baalbek, an area described as a "Hezbollah stronghold".cite news | title = Three IDF soldiers killed by anti-tank fire in village of Ayta a-Shab| date=2006-08-02| publisher=Haaretz|url= http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/745276.html] The intended target of the raid was reported to have been Sheikh Mohammed Yazbek a member of Hezbollah's Shoura council, and a Lebanese representative of the Iranian spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Last month the IAF bombed his house in Baalbek. [cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/syria/story/0,,1835332,00.html|title=No turning back in pursuit of Hizbullah|date=2006-08-02|accessdate=2006-08-02] It was unclear whether Yazbek had been captured by IDF but it was reported that he was not in the hospital at the time of the raid. The IDF denied Yazbek was the intended target of the raid on the hospital but three unidentified POW described as "Hizbullah officials" were captured. [cite news | title = IDF captures Hizbullah operatives| date=2006-08-02| publisher=Jerusalem Post|url= http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1153292046965&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull] In a broadcast on Al-Manar TV Hezbollah said "Those who were taken prisoner are citizens. It will not be long before the enemy will discover that they are ordinary citizens." 11 civilians were reported killed, 10 Lebanese and one Syrian.

Hezbollah said it had attacked an Israeli Army armoured unit inside Lebanon, destroying two tanks and leaving their crews dead or wounded as they attempted to advance on the Rub Thalatheen hill at Adaisseh. The IDF denied the report. [cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/syria/story/0,,1835529,00.html|title=Olmert 150 Hizbullah rockets hit Israel|date=2006-08-02|accessdate=2006-08-02]

Thursday, August 3

An IDF missile struck a house in Taibeh in the early morning, killing a family of three, Lebanese security officials said. Taibeh was the scene of fighting between IDF & Hezbollah. Hezbollah said it destroyed one IDF tank and two bulldozers killing or woundings it occupants. IDF said one tank was damaged with no casualties.cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115306760246608000-U70jY3dUzEa25kfY6F4sIV98y8w_20060824.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top|title=WSJ Ticker|date=2006-08-03|accessdate=2006-08-04]

132 rockets hit Israel by 1300 hrs localtime. 100 hitting northern Israel in a matter of minutes. Israeli death toll in the conflict stood at 68, with 41 soldiers killed in fighting and 27 civilians in rocket attacks. Leabanese PM Saniora said more than 900 people had been killed and 3,000 wounded, but he did not say whether the new figure, a rise of 380 from 520 confirmed dead also included those missing presumed dead.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed to strike Tel Aviv in retaliation for Israel's bombardment of Lebanon's capital, Beirut. "If you hit Beirut, the Islamic resistance will hit Tel Aviv and is able to do that with God's help," Nasrallah said in a televised address. [cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/03/mideast.main/index.html|title=Hezbollah threatens to strike Tel Aviv|date=2006-08-03|accessdate=2006-08-03]

Hezbollah spokesman Hussein Rahal told al Jazeera television: "Declaring a cease-fire is not the concern of the people of Lebanon as long as there is one Israeli soldier on Lebanese soil -- even one meter (into Lebanon).. We will not accept any (Israeli) soldier staying on Lebanese territory, and it is the right of every Lebanese to fight until liberation."

Israeli Defense Minister Peretz announced that he had instructed the IDF to prepare for "a swift takeover of the entire area south of the Litani [River] " and to operate in all the areas where rockets had been launched. An incursion to the Litani would represent a distance of 18 miles (29 km) into south Lebanon.cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/746334.html|title=ANALYSIS: Hezbollah still has thousands of rockets|date=2006-08-03|accessdate=2006-08-04] IDF said its soldiers have taken up positions in or near 11 towns and villages in south Lebanon, a zone reaching from the coast to the 'Galilee Panhandle' eastwards. Estimates of IDF forces in S.Lebanon were six bridages approximately 10,000 soldiers.

IDF bombers, reportedly fired two rockets at a house in Baalbek. One woman died and three people were wounded, IDF officials stated.

Calls for a ceasefire demanded that Israel stops its revenge attacks against Lebanese civilians and that Hezbollah lay down its arms. [http://www.democracyinlebanon.org/Documents/CDL-Exclusives/DonQuixote(08-03-06).htm REFERENCE]

Friday, August 4

It was estimated in a Haaretz analysis piece that the total number of rocket launchers that had been destroyed by IDF forces in Lebanon was "ten" and an estimate of Hezbollah killed given by IDF was "380".33 civilian farm workers are killed and 20 wounded after Israeli airstrike in a farm near Qaa in Lebanon, close to the Lebanon-Syria border in the Beqaa valley [cite news|title=Dozens killed in Israeli air raids|date=2006-08-04|publisher=Aljazeera|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B67C13FC-A3AD-49C3-9B68-0C7768AF88DB.htm ] A hospital official and the mayor said all the casualties were Syrian workers, and security forces said most of the casualties were employees or truck drivers. The IDF said it targeted two buildings that contained weapons. The Israeli government has accused Hezbollah of using civilians as shields.cite news|title=Israeli bombardment kills 40 civilians in Lebanon|date=2006-08-04|publisher=Reuters|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L03509692.htm] Israeli aircraft destroyed four bridges on the main coastal highway north of Beirut, disrupting efforts to aid civilians displaced or trapped by the conflict.After bombing the last land routes into Beirut, and effectively cutting off the Lebanese capital from relief supplies, Israel issued a statement saying the attacks were designed to thwart Syrian attempts to arm Hezbollah." "Syria is determined to continue rearming Hezbollah and supply it with weaponry used to attack Israel," said an IDF statement. "The IDF is determined to stop this flow of arms to Hezbollah. The attacks on the bridge last night, which connect Syria and Lebanon, were to this end."cite news|title=UIsrael's bombs cut off Beirut|date=2006-08-04|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/04/mideast.main/index.html] The IDF said the two or three rockets were among more than 200 that landed across northern Israel. The most deadly attack came in Tiberias, where three civilians were killed. The IDF put the Israeli death toll at 74, including 30 civilians. Israeli authorities say more than 600 people have been injured. [cite news|title=Israeli Commandos Raid Lebanese City of Tyre|=2006-08-05|publisher=Voice of America|url=http://voanews.com/english/2006-08-05-voa12.cfm] Across Lebanon, dozens died in Israeli attacks, as Hezbollah rockets struck Hadera, the southernmost point the Islamic militia has reached with its attacks thus far in the conflict. No injuries were reported, police said. Hadera is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Tel Aviv, which Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened August 3 to strike in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Beirut. On the Lebanese side of the border, AP quoted Lebanese security officials as saying that Israeli airstrikes buried 57 people under rubble after flattening homes in two villages near the Israeli border, Taibeh and Ayta ash Shab. No other details were immediately available.

unday, August 6

Twelve IDF reservists are killed by a Katyusha rocket explosion in Kfar Giladi, in the single deadliest strike on Israeli soldiers during the 2006 Lebanon War.

Post-ceasefire events

* On August 14, 2006, hours after the beginning of the ceasefire, about four mortars were fired inside southern Lebanon. An Israeli military spokesman said that Israel would not respond to their firing. On that day four more incidents were recorded when armed Hezbollah members said to have approached Israeli positions were killed. [cite web
url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/08/14/monday/index.html
title = IDF: Hours after cease-fire, 4 clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli troops; 4 Hezbollah fighters killed
accessdate = 2006-08-23
last =
first =
date = 14 August 2006
publisher = CNN.com]
* On 15 August 2006 "Israeli soldiers opened fire when four Hezbollah fighters came toward them," three of the Hezbollah fighters were killed. [cite web
url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/08/15/tuesday/index.html
title = IDF: Israeli soldiers kill 3 Hezbollah fighters
accessdate = 2006-08-23
last =
first =
date = 15 August 2006
publisher = CNN.com] The same day, about 10 rockets were fired by Hezbollah inside southern Lebanon. Israel reiterated it wouldn't respond since the rockets did not cross border. [cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,208372,00.html |title=Hezbollah Rockets Fall Inside Southern Lebanon As Citizens Return to Region|author=Associated Press|publisher=Fox News|date=August 15, 2006|accessdate=2007-04-30]
* On 18 August 2006 Lebanese police sources reported that Israeli Defense Force warplanes launched four missiles toward targets in the eastern Lebanese town of Baalbek. Israeli sources acknowledge that its air force performs sorties over Lebanese territory, but denied breaking the ceasefire. Lebanese officials later contradicted the police sources stating that no missiles were fired by the Israeli planes. [cite web
url = http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5300553
title = Israel flies over Lebanon, but no airstrikes
accessdate = 2006-08-21
last = Janelle
first = Chantelle
date = 18 August 2006
publisher = WIS-TV] The Associated Press reported that Hezbollah had fired at least 10 Katyusha rockets into southern Lebanon. The IDF stated that as none had crossed the border and there were no casualties, they did not respond. Earlier, skirmishes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah left six guerrillas dead.cite web
url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060815/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel_1113
title=Rockets hit Lebanon despite cease-fire
accessdate=2006-08-15
last=Hurst
first=Stephen R.
date=15 August2006
publisher=Associated Press] UNIFIL also reported that the IDF fired a tank shell at the Lebanese village of Markaba but that there was no response from the other side. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060816/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictlebanon_060816145220 Four Hezbollah fighters killed in ceasefire breaches: UN] - Agence France-Presse (via Yahoo!). 16 August 2006]
* On 19 August 2006 Israel launched a raid in Lebanon's eastern Beqaa Valley it says was aimed to disrupt weapons supplies to Hezbollah from Syria and Iran.cite web
url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/19/mideast.main.05/
title = Israel: Raid targets weapons transfer
accessdate = 2006-08-21
date = 19 August 2006
publisher = CNN] Lebanese officials said "the Israelis were apparently seeking a guerrilla target in a school." [cite web
url = http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5674288
title = Israeli Commando Dies in Lebanon Raid
accessdate = 2006-08-27
date = 19 August 2006
publisher = The Associated Press] Reports indicate that the Israeli commandos were disguised in Lebanese Army uniforms (thus masquerading as a non-combatant party) and spoke Arabic in an attempt to pass themselves off as Arabs. [cite web
url = http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/08/20/israeli_raid_endangers_cease_fire_deal/
title = Israeli Raid Endangers Ceasefire Deal
accessdate = 2007-03-18
date = 20 August 2006
publisher = Boston Globe] [cite web
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5268870.stm
title = Israel's raid in the Bekaa Valley
accessdate = 2007-03-18
date = 20 August 2006
publisher = BBC News] [cite web
url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/20/AR2006082000149.html
title = Plans for Lebanon Force Faulted
accessdate = 2007-03-18
date = 21 August 2006
publisher = Washington Post] One Israeli soldier was killed, another mortally wounded, while 3 Hezbollah fighters were wounded. Hezbollah said it wouldn't respond to the attack. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was "deeply concerned" about an Israeli commando raid in eastern Lebanon Saturday, calling it a violation of a U.N.-backed ceasefire. The statement also cites UNIFIL troops as saying there have "also been several air violations by Israeli military aircraft." [cite web
url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/19/mideast.main/index.html
title = Kofi Annan declares Israeli raid violation of ceasefire
accessdate = 2006-08-21
last = Morales
first = Alex
date = 20 August 2006
publisher = CNN] Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev told the Associated Press that “ [t] he cease-fire is based on (U.N. resolution) 1701 which calls for an international arms embargo against Hezbollah.” Regev was referring to article 8 of the resolution which calls for an end to all weapons transfers to Hezbollah.
* On 27 August 2006 UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that U.N. troops would not intercept Syrian arms shipments to Hezbollah unless requested to do so by the Lebanese Government. [ cite news|title=UN will not stop Syria sending weapons to Lebanon|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/27/wleb27.xml|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=27 August 2006]
* On 29 August 2006 UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that Israel had committed most of the truce violations and described Israel's continuing embargo as "a humiliation and an infringement on [Lebanese] sovereignty." [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5296314.stm|title=UN urges Israel to end blockade|publisher=BBC News Online|date=29 August, 2006|accessdate=2007-05-01] Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reiterated Israel's willingness to lift the blockade after full implementation of the U.N.-brokered cease fire. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060831/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast ]
* On 7 September 2006 the aviation blockade was lifted.
* On 8 September 2006 the naval blockade was lifted. [cite web
url=http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1157753409537&call_pageid=968332188854&col=968350060724
title=Israel ends naval blockade of Lebanon
publisher=Toronto Star/AP
last=Dakroub
first=Hussein
date=9 September 2006
accessdate=2006-09-09]
* On 21 September 2006 Hezbollah supporters threw stones over the border fence at Israeli patrols in Israel, seen as part of Hezbollah redeployments [ [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3306965,00.html Ynet report] , [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060927/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictisrael Yahoo news] , [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/767470.html Haaretz report] ]
* On 22 September 2006 Nasrallah claimed in a victory rally that Hezbollah possessed over 20,000 rockets and that it was stronger than before 12 July. According to various estimates, the organisation had fewer than 20,000 rockets before and fired about 4,000 rockets during the conflict. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/syria/story/0,,1879238,00.html We still have 20,000 rockets, says Nasrallah] , "The Guardian"]
* On 1 October 2006, the Israeli army reported that it had completed its withdrawal. [ [http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/061001095059.wbg4ykzg.html AFP - Israel pulls remaining troops out of Lebanon] ] The UN has said Israel has withdrawn the bulk of its troops from Lebanon, fulfilling a key condition of the UN ceasefire ending war with Hezbollah, but that some Israeli troops remained in Ghajar. The IDF confirmed its forces were still operating near Ghajar, a village split in two by the border. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/10/01/lebanon.withdrawal/index.html UN peacekeepers: Israeli troops still in Lebanon] , "CNN"] Because of the volatile nature of the place, Israel says it will maintain a presence in Ghajar until a security agreement is reached with the UN and the Lebanese army. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5396966.stm BBC NEWS | World | Middle East |UN hails Israel's Lebanon pullout ] ]
* On 3 October 2006, Israeli jets conducted mock air raids over Nabatiyeh, Khiam, and Marjayoun in Southern Lebanon, and later over the Iqlim al-Tuffah region and Western Bekaa Valley. [ [http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=910249 Israel violates Lebanese airspace, launches mock raids] ] [ [http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=75903 Israeli warplanes violate Lebanese airspace again] ] [cite web
url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7005063128
title=Israel To Continue Lebanon Overflights
publisher=All Headline News
date=4 October 2006
accessdate=2006-10-06]

An Israeli fighter penetrated the 2-nautical mile defence perimeter of the French frigate "Courbet" without answer radio calls, triggering a diplomatic incident [fr [http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/20061110.FIG000000186_l_armee_francaise_au_liban_se_sent_menacee_par_israel.html L'armée française au Liban se sent menacée par Israël] , "Le Figaro"]

* On 22 October, Israel admitted to using white phosphorus in Lebanon. [ [http://english.aljazeera.net/news/archive/archive?ArchiveId=38023 Israel admits phosphorus shell use] ] Although Israel continues to deny the use of phosphorus on civilians, doctors in southern Lebanon have suspected some injuries were caused by contact with the chemical. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6075408.stm BBC NEWS | Middle East |Israel admits phosphorus bombing ] ]
* On 23 October, Lebanese police reported the "most intensive [Israeli] overflights" of Lebanon after the ceasefire. Two jets flew low over Beirut, while four more aircraft conducted sonic boom raid in Tyre. [cite web
url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L23833118.htm
title=Israel jets fly over Lebanon despite French appeal
publisher=Reuters
date=2006-10-23
accessdate=25 October
accessyear=2006] [ [http://www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=11999 Israel continues overflights of Lebanon] . "Al Jazeera"] France, who leads UNIFIL troops, called the continuing overflights "extremely dangerous." [ [http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/777482.html France calls IAF overflights in Lebanon 'extremely dangerous'] , "Haaretz". ]
* On 24 October, six Israeli F-16's flew over a German vessel patrolling off Israel's coast just south of the Lebanese border. The German Defence Ministry said that the planes had given off infrared decoys and one of the aircraft had fired two shots into the air, which had not been specifically aimed. The Israeli military said that a German helicopter took off from the vessel without having coordinated this with Israel, and denied vehemently having fired any shots at the vessel and said "as of now" it also had no knowledge of the jets launching flares over it. Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz telephoned his German counterpart Franz Josef Jung to clarify that 'Israel has no intention to carry out any aggressive actions' against the German peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, who are there as part of UNIFIL to enforce an arms embargo against Hezbollah. Germany confirmed the consultations, and that both sides were interested in maintaining good cooperation. [cite news|url=http://www.teluguportal.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18958|title=Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident|date=200628 October|publisher=Telugu Portal] [cite news|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1214671.php/Germany_Israel_confirm_naval_vessel-planes_incident|title=Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident|date=200628 October|publisher=Middle East News] [cite news|url=http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/ba4623e8cf1e387d/|title=Israel denies firing shots at German ship|date=200628 October|publisher=Ynetnews]
* On 31 October 2006, eight Israeli F-15s flew over many areas of Lebanon, including Beirut. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6101448.stm Israeli jets fly low over Beirut] , "BBC"] [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061031/ts_nm/mideast_lebanon_planes_dc Israeli warplanes fly low over Beirut, suburbs] , "Reuters"] The IAF jets also flew over a French peacekeeper position in Lebanon. According to the French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, the planes came in at what was interpreted as an attack position, and the peacekeepers were "seconds away" from firing at the jets. [ [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/785914.html IDF checking French claim its UN troops almost fired at IAF jets] , "AP" in "Haaretz"]
* On 1 December 2006, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan submitted a report to the Security Council president maintaining "there were no serious incidents or confrontations" since the cease-fire in August 2006. He did, however, note that peacekeepers reported air violations by Israel "almost on a daily basis," which Israel maintained were a security measure related to continuing Syrian and Iranian arms shipments to Hezbollah, and evidence of the presence of unauthorized armed personnel, assets, and weapons in Lebanon. In one case, a UNIFIL demining team was challenged by two Hezbollah members in combat uniforms armed with AK-47 rifles. UNIFIL notified the Lebanese army, who arrested three suspects the next day. There were also "13 instances where UNIFIL came across unauthorized arms or related material in its area of operation", including the discovery of 17 katyusha rockets and several improvised explosive devices in Rachaiya El-Foukhar, and the discovery of a weapons cache containing seven missiles, three rocket launchers, and a substantial amount of ammunition in the area of Bourhoz. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/02/news/UN_GEN_UN_Lebanon_Peacekeepers.php Annan: Israel's actions compromise efforts to stabilize the Israeli-Lebanon border] ] Ynet News (2 December 2006). [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3335032,00.html "Annan finds 13 incidents of illicit arms in Lebanon"] . Retrieved 8 December 2006.] Annan also reported that as of 20 November 2006, 822 cluster bomb strike sites had been recorded, with 60,000 cluster bomblets having been cleared by the UN Mine Action Coordination Center. [The Daily Star (December 4, 2006). [http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=77367 "UN secretary general's update to the Security Council on Resolution 1701"] . Retrieved 8 December 2006.]
* On January 17, 2007, Israeli IDF Chief of General Staff Dan Halutz resigned. The resignation came shortly after work on a governmental investigation on the conflict was announced complete. [http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3353464,00.html YNet.]
* On February 1, 2007, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Winograd Commission, formed to inquire into the Israeli-Lebanese war, that the attack was planned four months in advance based upon an earlier target list drawn up by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Based on prior Hezbollah abduction of IDF soldiers in the North of Israel, Olmert ordered the IDF to put an end to it. [ [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/834549.html PM: War planned months in advance - Haaretz - Israel News ] ]
* In April 2007, Olmert vowed not to resign despite findings from a comprehensive report which noted his "severe failure" in handling the war. [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4761888.html]
* On June 17, 2007, an unknown militant group fired two rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel, an action which the UN condemned as a serious violation of the ceasefire. Hezbollah denied involvement in the incident, and Israel emphasized that it would restrain itself from responding by force. Saniora pledged that "The state [...] will spare no effort in uncovering those who stand behind this incident."cite web | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/18/africa/ME-GEN-Israel-Lebanon.php | title = Militants fire 2 rockets from Lebanon at Israel's north, first since last year's war | source = International Herald Tribune | date = June 17, 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-17]
* On September 6, 2007, Israeli jets entered Syrian airspace, claiming to search for Syrian weapons shipments to Hezbollah. Iran and North Korea condemned the Israeli action, but the incident provoked little international response otherwise.

=References=

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5274408.stm Day-by-day: Lebanon crisis] BBC