Lebanon: The Israel-Hamas Hezbollah Conflict
Abstract
This report analyzes the conflict between Israel and two U.S. State Department designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), the Lebanese Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah and the radical Palestinian Hamas organization. On July 12, 2006, what had been a localized conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip instantly became a regional conflagration after Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a surprise attack along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Israel responded by carrying out air strikes against suspected Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, and Hezbollah countered with rocket attacks against cities and towns in northern Israel. In order to push Hezbollah back from its border, Israel launched a full-scale ground operation in Lebanon with the hopes of establishing a security zone free of Hezbollah militants. Meanwhile, Israeli clashes with Hamas and other Palestinian militants have continued in the Gaza Strip. A United Nations-brokered cease-fire came into effect on August 14, 2006. Based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 passed a few days earlier, the cease-fire is intended to be monitored by the Lebanese Armed Forces in conjunction with an expanded U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon. The international community initially hesitated to contribute troops, though it appears now that enough countries have stepped forward to significantly expand the existing U.N. force (UNIFIL).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA456492
Entities
People
- Alfred Prados
- Carol Migdalovitz
- Christopher Blanchard
- Connie Veillette
- Dianne Rennack
- Jeremy M. Sharp
- John Rollins
- Kenneth Katzman
- Paul E. Gallis
- Steve Bowman
Organizations
- Library of Congress