2006 Lebanon War facts for kids

The 2006 Lebanon War was a conflict that happened in 2006. It was fought between Israel and a group called Hezbollah in Lebanon. The war lasted for 34 days, from July 12 to August 14, 2006.

What Caused the War?

The war started when Hezbollah fighters crossed the border from Lebanon into Israel. They attacked an Israeli army patrol, killing some soldiers and capturing two others. Hezbollah said they wanted to exchange these captured soldiers for Lebanese prisoners held in Israel.

Israel responded strongly to this attack. They launched air strikes and ground operations in Lebanon. Hezbollah, in turn, fired thousands of rockets into northern Israel.

Who is Hezbollah?

Hezbollah is a political party and a military group based in Lebanon. It was formed in the 1980s. They have a strong presence in southern Lebanon and are supported by countries like Iran and Syria.

Key Events of the War

Air Strikes and Rocket Attacks

Both sides used air power and rockets.

• Israel bombed many targets in Lebanon, including roads, bridges, airports, and Hezbollah strongholds. This caused a lot of damage to Lebanon's infrastructure.
• Hezbollah fired many rockets, mostly Katyusha rockets, into northern Israel. These rockets hit cities like Haifa, causing damage and forcing many people to seek shelter.

Ground Battles

There were also ground battles, especially in southern Lebanon.

• Israeli troops entered southern Lebanon to try and stop Hezbollah from firing rockets.
• Hezbollah fighters used their knowledge of the local terrain to fight back.

People Affected by the War

The war had a big impact on civilians, who are people not involved in fighting.

• Many people in Lebanon had to leave their homes and become IDPs (internally displaced persons).
• People in northern Israel also had to hide in shelters or leave their homes because of the rockets.
• Sadly, many civilians were killed or injured on both sides.

End of the War

The fighting stopped after the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1701 on August 11, 2006. This resolution called for a full stop to the fighting.

• A ceasefire began on August 14, 2006.
• The resolution also called for Hezbollah to be disarmed and for the Lebanese army to take control of southern Lebanon.
• A UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) was sent to the area to help keep the peace.

Aftermath of the War

The war caused a lot of destruction in Lebanon. Many buildings and roads were damaged. There was also a large oil spill along the Lebanese coast after an Israeli air strike hit a power plant. Both Israel and Hezbollah claimed victory in the war. The conflict changed the political situation in the region and led to more efforts to maintain peace.

Images for kids

• 

  Smoke over Haifa, Israel, after a rocket launched by Hezbollah hit the city near Bnei-Zion hospital

• 

  Lebanese IDPs in south Lebanon, 2006

• 

  Image from space showing Jiyyeh oil slick in darkest blue, picture centered on Beirut. The largest oil spill in the history of the Mediterranean, it was caused by an Israeli air strike on Jiyeh power station 10 August 2006

• 

  A burnt forest in northern Israel caused by Hezbollah rockets

• 

  Israel Solidarity Rally in Los Angeles

• 

  A Lebanese protest in Sydney

• 

  A sign erected after the 2006 Lebanon war in South Lebanon which displays rockets and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah

• 

  George W. Bush declared that Hezbollah lost the war and that "There's going to be a new power in the south of Lebanon".

• 

  An infographic produced by the Israel Defence Force criticizing Hezbollah's violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The resolution calls for Hezbollah to remain disarmed and bans paramilitary activity south of the Litani River.

See also

In Spanish: Guerra del Líbano de 2006 para niños