What happened in the 2006 Lebanon War and how Israel is making sure it is not repeated in 2024?
Israel launched a ground invasion of Southern Lebanon targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. While this is being described as a limited ground operation, this is not the first time Israel has had its forces on the ground in Lebanon.
Israeli invasion of Lebanon??
The first time it happened was in 1978 in response to Palestinian attacks on Israel from Lebanon. This was followed by another Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. However, the most consequential Israeli invasion of Lebanon happened in 2006.
Why Israel invaded Lebanon in 2006
Also known as the Israel-Hezbollah War and the July War, the conflict officially lasted 34 days. The conflict was triggered by the killing of three IDF men and the abduction of two more by Hezbollah militants on July 12, 2006. In response, Israel declared war even though the Lebanese government denied any involvement in the abduction, blaming it solely on the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Ground operation that did not go as planned
Israel went on the offensive, attacking a host of Lebanese targets, including the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, which left forty-four civilians dead. Israel also launched a ground offensive, but it soon ran into resistance from Hezbollah, who drew the IDF into their strongholds for guerrilla warfare.
Why?Hezbollah claimed victory?
Hezbollah, which at the beginning of the conflict had an estimated arsenal of 13,000 missiles and over 5,000 soldiers, managed to inflict considerable damage on the IDF, which lost at least 121 men and 20 tanks. Though Hezbollah lost anywhere from 700 fighters in the conflict, it managed to hold out and, in the eyes of many, emerged victorious when the ceasefire was announced after 34 days.
What it did for Hezbollah's image?
The perceived victory elevated the status of the Iran-backed militia among the anti-Israel armed groups in the region. Hezbollah emerged from the war as the most formidable enemy of Israel, and its success in holding out against the IDF helped it become a stronger political and military force in Lebanon and beyond.
Why Hezbollah is not the same in 2024
However, things are different in 2024 as, before the ground operation, Israel has severely crippled Hezbollah's communication network and infrastructure.?
Many of Hezbollah's top leadership, including Hassan Nasrallah and other military commanders of the world's most heavily armed non-state actor, have also been killed by Israel in recent weeks, significantly weakening its structure and possible response.
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