ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

This is a timeline of the 2006 Lebanon War during July.

July 12

Hezbollah
At around 9:00 am local time, Hezbollah launched Katyusha rockets across the Lebanese-Israeli border as part of a new tactic targeting the Israeli settlement of Shlomi and the Shebaa Farms area. At the same time, Hezbollah's military wing launched an attack on the northern Israeli town of Hama, killing three Israeli soldiers, wounding two, capturing two, and taking them to Lebanon.
Hezbollah stated that its goal is "to liberate 10,000 Arab prisoners held by Israel." "The Islamic Resistance, which fulfilled its promise to free Arab prisoners and detainees, has arrested two Israeli soldiers (Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev) on the border with occupied Palestine," Hezbollah said in a statement.
Hezbollah's attacks are condemned by international condemnation. The United States, the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, Egypt, and the United Nations call for the immediate and unconditional release of two kidnapped Israeli soldiers. The Syrian government and Hamas condemn Hezbollah's attack.

Lebanon
The Lebanese ambassador to the United States, Freddy Abboud, was summoned back to Beirut after making controversial comments on CNN in support of Hezbollah. Officials in Beirut said that Abboud's views did not represent Lebanon's position, which opposes Hezbollah's actions on the northern Israeli border.

United States
The United States condemned what it called "unjustifiable acts of terrorism" by Hezbollah, saying: "Hezbollah terrorists operating from Lebanon kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and launched rocket attacks against civilian targets in Israel. The United States strongly condemns this provocative act of terrorism that has exacerbated already high tensions in the region and sown more violence. We hold Syria and Iran accountable for their long-term support of Hezbollah's violent actions. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers."
The United States blames Syria and Iran for the kidnapping of the two Israeli soldiers.

Israel
In an attempt to continue Hezbollah's forces and free the captured soldiers, an Israeli Merkava Mark 2 tank was hit by mines weighing between 200-300 kilograms. All four crew members were killed. In an attempt to recover the bodies of the soldiers from the burning tank, another Israeli soldier was injured by Hezbollah fire and killed.
Israel submitted a complaint to the United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Kofi Annan, calling on the international community to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for the Lebanese government to disarm all militias within its borders and expand its control over its territory, particularly in southern Lebanon and its border with Israel.
Israel responded with ground, air, and naval attacks. In addition to airstrikes against Hezbollah positions, the Israeli Defense Forces targeted several roads and bridges in southern Lebanon. At least 12 bridges were damaged, and one Lebanese civilian was killed, as well as a Hezbollah fighter. A reserve armored unit is being called up from the Israeli Defense Forces in preparation for large-scale operations in Lebanon, raising concerns about war.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert described Hezbollah's attacks as "unjustified acts of war" by Lebanon and promised to respond with "a painful and far-reaching response."

July 13

Israel
Israel imposed a blockade on Lebanon.
Israel imposes an aerial and naval blockade on Lebanon. Israeli fighters attack the Beirut-Damascus highway, closing off the country's main artery and isolating