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Operation Just Reward
Part of the 2006 Arab-Israeli War
File:54240.jpg The Israeli Airforce strikes a position in southern Lebanon.
Date July 12, 2006 – Location Lebanon, Northern Israel Result Conflict ongoing
Belligerents
Israel	Hezbollah, Lebanon
Commanders and leaders
Dan Halutz (Chief of Staff) Udi Adam (Regional)	Hassan Nasrallah
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
8 soldiers KIA 6 soldiers WIA 2 soldiers captive 2 civilians killed 90 civilians injured	1 militant killed 2 Lebanese soldiers killed 47 civilians killed 103 civilians injured

The 2006 Israel-Lebanon-Hezbollah conflictTemplate:Fn began on July 12, 2006, with an attack by Hezbollah on Israel. Eight Israeli soldiers were killed, and two were taken prisoner into Lebanon. It marked the beginning of a new wave of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. The attack by Hezbollah could be linked to Operation Summer Rains, as it occurred during Israel's ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Historical background

After years of cross-border attacks from Lebanon into Israel, by Palestinian militants, Israel invaded southern Lebanon in 1978 and again in 1982 while Lebanon was dealing with a civil war. The stated goal of the operation was an attempt to evict the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and other militant groups, but Israel remained in southern Lebanon for the next 18 years. After UN resolution 1995, Israel withdrew in the spring of 2000, under the Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a former Chief of Staff who had actually in that position personally ruled over the security zone. At the time the UN confirmed that Israel complied with all the requirements in SC resolution 1995.

Since this time, the militant group Hezbollah set up bases of operation in the area in contradiction to the UN SC resolution 1995 which required the Lebanese government to dismantle any armed militias operating in the area, and on numerous occassions Israel has violated Lebanese airspace in operations aimed at striking the militants. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government cited the constant violation of Lebanese air space by Israeli planes, and the occupation of Shebaa Farms, a territory which they consider Lebanese, but is considered Occupied Syrian territory by the United Nations.

Conflict

Hezbollah raid

According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the fighting began at around 8 AM when Hezbollah launched a barrage of Katyusha rockets and mortars on Israeli towns and military positions along the Lebanese border, apparently as a diversion. A force of infiltrators then attacked two armoured IDF Humvees patrolling the border near the Israeli village of Zar'it with anti-tank rockets.

The IDF confirmed that two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped by Hezbollah, and named them as Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev . An Israeli Merkava Mk. II tank was damaged by a 200 kg improvised explosive device, probably placed by Hezbollah, as it attempted to pursue the kidnappers into Lebanon. All four of the crew-members were killed. Another Israeli soldier was killed when he tried to evacuate the bodies of his fellow soldiers from the Merkava Mk II tank.

Israeli response

Israel retaliated with air strikes, carried out by the Israeli Air Force (IAF), killing two civilians and wounding five children, and destroyed bridges and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Airstrikes were also carried out against outposts of Hezbollah. Israel has named the overall operation "Just Reward."

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the Hezbollah attack an "act of war" by Lebanon and promised a "very painful and far-reaching response". Israeli Defense 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". Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said "If the soldiers are not returned we will turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years".

Israel called up reserve troops, signaling a large-scale campaign, as operations continue in an attempt to free a soldier seized by Palestinians in Gaza. Israel sent troops and tanks into southern Lebanon, and the Israeli cabinet met at 7 PM Local Time, 4 PM UTC, Noon Eastern Time, July 12, 2006.

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, Amir Peretz, Israel's defence minister, told commanders to prepare civil defense plans.

Early on July 13, 2006, Israel sent IDF jets to bomb Lebanon's international airport near Beirut, forcing its closure and diverting its arriving flights to Cyprus. Israel also targeted Hezbollah's al-Manar television, but Hezbollah continued transmission from another location. Hezbollah retaliated by bombarding the Israeli town of Nahariya with Katyusha rockets, killing one civilian and wounding 29 more. Nahariya residents began leaving the city en masse in fear of further Katyusha attacks.Israel is now imposing an air and sea blockade on Lebanon, and has bombed the main Beirut-Damascus highway.

Israel's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mark Regev claims that Hizbullah militants that captured the two soilders are trying to transfer them to Iran. However the spokesman did not disclose his source.

Attacks on Lebanon

Israel intensified its response on Lebanon by attacking the Beirut International Airport and damaging three runways. Israel announced that it imposed an air, land and naval blockade on Lebanon. Israel attacked Hezbollah's TV station Al-Manar and Radio station Al-Nour in Haret Hreyk, a southern suburb of Beirut and in Baalbeck.

The Lebanese Daily Star has reported that the total number of dead in all the attacks is now an estimated 47 civilians with over 100 others wounded.

Israeli jets attacked two Lebanese military air bases, destroying runways. Attacks against the Rayak air base in the eastern Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border and the Qulayaat military airport in northern Lebanon were the first attacks against Lebanon's army in the conflict.

Israel has now attacked Beruit's international airport for a second time.

Attacks on Israel

Besides the initial raid, Hezbollah guerrillas targeted several Israeli towns with Katyusha rockets. There were numerous civilian casualties including a 40 year old woman who was killed in Nahariya and a 70 year old woman was killed in Safed.

Hezbollah has threatened to hit the city Haifa, "if the southern suburbs and the city of Beirut are subjected to any direct Israeli aggression". At least one rocket hit the city, hours after the threat. Hezbollah denied firing any rockets. IDF sources have reported that two rockets were fired from inside Lebanon. The attack would be the first time rockets have hit so far south into Israel. There are no reports of injuries from the rocket attack.

Casualties

Eight Israeli soldiers and two civilians have been killed, two soldiers and 56 civilians were wounded and two reserve duty soldiers were kidnapped.

A total of 76 civilians were killed in Lebanon including two Kuwaiti nationals , and so far more than 190 civilians injured. One Hezbollah member has been killed as well as two soldiers in the Lebanese army..

Possible escalation

There are concerns of escalation. According to Professor Gerald Steinberg, a Senior Research Associate at the Begin Sadat Center for Strategic Studies "Israel may have to take alarming force as an outcome of the latest attacks, which may even result in the disarming of the Hezbollah," and that "Lebanon continues to allow these terrorist activities to take place within her borders and therefore the Lebanese government plays a key role in the reoccurrence of these events."

DEBKAfile reported that Iranian national security advisor and senior nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani flew to Damascus. According to the report, he will remain there for the duration of the crisis in line with an Iranian-Syrian mutual defense pact, and would deem any attack on Syria an assault on Iran. DEBKAfile also reported that Hezbollah "acted on orders from Tehran to open a second front against Israel, partly to ease IDF military pressure on the Hamas in the Gaza Strip". According to DEBKAfile, Iran is also taking up this action to divert attention at the upcoming G8 summit away from the Iranian Nuclear Crisis, and onto this flare-up instead. Finally, they report that both Syrian and Iranian armed forces have been brought to a state of high alert.

Meanwhile, Israel has issued a warning to people living in a neighbourhood in southern Beirut, the Lebanese capital, telling them to leave.

According to Israel Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev Hezbollah is attempting to transfer the prisoners to Iran. Regev has not disclosed the source of this information.

International reaction

• Arab League: The Arab League says they have “fears of widening of tension and possible Israeli strike against Syria“, “It’s up to the resistance — both the Lebanese and the Palestinian — to decide what they are doing and why are they fighting”.

•  Belgium: Minister of foreign affairs Karel de Gucht said that Israel has the right to defend itself, but has now responded with excessive violence. There has also already been a demonstration against Israel in Brussels. The VRT television news called the Hezbollah rocket attacks on Israel acts of defence.

•  Egypt: Egyptian Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit stated "Targeting civilians under the pretext of fighting terrorism is unacceptable and unjustified. Israeli practices violate international law. We condemn any military action that targets civilians. We consider it a terrorist act, regardless of who the civilians are or its source."

•  France: Foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said the Israeli offensive on Lebanon is a "disproportionate act of war with negative consequences" which could "plunge Lebanon back into the worst years of the war with the flight of thousands of Lebanese who ... were in the process of rebuilding their country.” “I am very concerned about the latest developments on the Israel-Lebanon border… I condemn the rocket strikes this (Wednesday) morning on the town of Qiryat Shemona. I also condemn the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers and I ask for their immediate and unconditional release… I call on all parties to show restraint and not engage in a cycle of violence in which civilian populations would be the first victims.“

•  Germany: German chancellor Angela Merkel says "We call on the powers in the region to seek to bring about a de-escalation of the situation. We cannot confuse cause and effect. The starting point is the capture of the Israeli soldiers. It is important that the government in Lebanon, which is on a peaceful path, should be strengthened, but it must be made clear that the capture cannot be tolerated. The attacks did not start from the Israeli side, but from Hezbollah's side."

•  Greece: Spokesman Evangelos Antonaros urged Hezbollah to release the captured Israeli soldiers. "Greece expresses its serious concern and is intensely troubled," the spokesman said, "It is vital, to stop the (situation) worsening, Hezbollah must immediately release the soldiers taken hostage," "At the same time, Greece calls on the government of Israel to avoid the use of excessive and pointless force which cannot provide a solution to the problem."

•  Iran: Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi condemned Israel's response stating, "The Zionist regime is desperate because of the resistance put up by regional Muslim nations and is now resorting to blind tactics against the innocent people of Lebanon with full US backing."

•  Japan: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi urged restraint and stated “I understand the anger of the Israelis, but I hope you will not seek an eye for an eye and keep in mind the importance of peace.”

•  Jordan: A statement from the Jordanian Government said "Jordan stands against whoever exposes the Palestinian people and their cause, Lebanon and its sovereignty to unexpected dangers. Israel's use of force against unarmed civilians and the outcome in terms of the human loss and destruction of civil institutions."

•  Norway: The Norwegian foreign minister Jonas Gahr Støre called Israel's reaction 'totally unacceptable' and referred to it as 'a dangerous escalation', while also condemned Hezbollahs attack on Israeli soldiers

•  Russia: Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said “This is a disproportionate response to what has happened and if both sides are going to drive each other into a tight corner then I think that all this will develop in a very dramatic and tragic way” "We firmly reaffirm support for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity" he told reporters.

• United Nations: The top UN official in Lebanon said “Hezbollah’s action escalates the already tense situation along the Blue Line and is an act of very dangerous proportions,” in a statement. Kofi Annan referred to the Hezbollah attack as having occurred in southern Lebanon. He also demands Hezbollah free the two captured Israeli soldiers. He also has sent a 3 man party to the Middle East to urge countries to show restraint.

•  United States: Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch condemns what he calls a “dangerous escalation” and calls for the release of the Israeli soldiers. The United States has blamed Syria and Iran for the capture of two Israeli soldiers. “We must hold the governments of Syria and Iran accountable for their continued support to Hezbollah. So long as these governments are failing to live up to their responsibilities, no one should question the right of the government of Israel to act in self-defense against terrorists operating from Lebanon”, United States Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said. Bill Frist also said that the Lebanese government should uphold its responsibility under a U.N. resolution to make sure its territory isn’t being used for Hezbollah or other groups.President George W. Bush says that Israel has the right to defend themselves, “The soldiers need to be returned,” he said. “It’s really sad where people are willing to take innocent life in order to stop that progress (for peace). As a matter of fact, it’s pathetic.” He also said "The democracy of Lebanon is an important part of laying a foundation of peace in that region." and "The concern is that any activities by Israel to protect herself will weaken the (LRE) government."

See also

• Operation Grapes of Wrath
• Operation Summer Rains

References

1. "Hezbollah takes Israelis hostage". The Australian. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. "Israel calls Hizbollah capture of soldiers act of war". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
3. "8 Israeli soldiers killed in attack". Drudge Report. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. "Israeli reprisals bash Lebanon". Reuters. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060713/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel_13;_ylt=AgC_UleVVfFQ5NORe5OnBRUUvioA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
6. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060713/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel_13;_ylt=AgC_UleVVfFQ5NORe5OnBRUUvioA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
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42. Template:Nl icon Betoging in Brussel tegen Israëlisch militair optreden, Het Laatste Nieuws
43. Het Journaal (19h), VRT, July 13, 2006
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47. "Greece: Israel using 'excessive, pointless' force". Jerusalem Post; Associated Press. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
48. "Asefi strongly condemns Zionist aggression in Lebanon". Islamic Republic News Agency. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
49. "Japan's Koizumi Urges Israel Not to Seek 'Eye for Eye'". Fox News. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
50. Norway condemns Israeli attacks on Lebanon
51. "Bush defends Israel actions, Russia condemns attacks". Reuters. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
52. "Israel battles militants on two fronts". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
53. "Annan to send team to Middle East to urge restraint". Reuters. 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
54. "Israel calls Hizbollah capture of soldiers act of warreports". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
55. "(no title)". Drudge Report. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite uses generic title (help)
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57. "US blames Iran, Syria for Hizbollah capture". Reuters. 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
58. Raum, Tom (2006-07-13). "Bush Backs Israel's Right to Self Defense". Associated Press. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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• Arab-Israeli conflict
• Battles of Israel
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