THE MYTH OF ISRAELI INVINCIBILITY. PART IX

2006 – Intervention in Lebanon

           In the 2000s, Israel's military dominance in the Middle East persisted. Its assets in this regard remained the same: US support, feared special services, air power, and technological superiority. The capacity to employ 'blitzkrieg' tactics remained, yet there were no longer any adversaries against whom to use them.

          Israel's security remained solid. There were no longer issues with neighboring states, except for Syria, which, however, posed no threat. Saddam Hussein's regime had disappeared from Iraq, and with it, the threats to Israel. Libya had vanished from the list of adversaries, resorting to a policy of normalization with democratic states. Palestinian groups in the West Bank and Gaza remained, but Israel was in the midst of a peace process with Palestinian political movements. The only direct and immediate threat came from southern Lebanon, where the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah carried out armed actions against Israeli territory.

          Following the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon in May 2000, the UN established a 'Blue Line' on the border between Lebanon and Israel to prevent clashes between the IDF and armed groups in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government failed in its attempts to establish authority in the south, primarily due to the chronic underfunding of its armed forces, and the area came under the control of Hezbollah, which was funded and supplied by Iran and Syria. The group's leaders accused Israel of maintaining certain outposts on Lebanese territory and, therefore, considered attacks on Israeli forces to be legitimate. At the same time, Syrian forces remained deployed in Lebanon (approximately 15,000 troops) until their withdrawal in 2005, under the pressure of nationwide protests sparked by the assassination of the Prime Minister. Between 2000 and 2006, the situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border remained tense, with a high number of clashes recorded.[1] During this period, Hezbollah carried out over 200 attacks on Israeli territory, resulting in 31 deaths and 104 wounded[2]. The total number of Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon was approximately 15,000[3], possessing around 13,000 surface-to-surface missiles, capable of covering about half of Israel's territory (according to information held by Israeli intelligence services)[4]. It is also worth mentioning that the group had constructed fortification systems in the area. The situation escalated on July 12, 2006, triggering the Israeli military intervention in Lebanon.

          Let's look at a timeline of the campaign's events [5]:

July 12:

-       Hezbollah armed groups launch an attack using BM-13 rocket launchers and mortars against IDF positions and several Israeli settlements; the attack proved to be a diversion; it allowed Hezbollah fighters to infiltrate south of the border and ambush an Israeli patrol; 3 Israeli soldiers are killed, while 2 are captured and taken into Lebanon; immediately, Israeli forces dispatch a tank, an APC, and a helicopter to pursue the Hezbollah fighters across the border; the tank is hit by an improvised explosive device (IED); 5 Israeli soldiers are killed and 2 are wounded.

-       The IDF retaliates; Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and road communications ensuring their mobility are bombarded from ground, air, and sea; five bridges are destroyed; over 100 airstrikes are carried out; Beirut airport is bombed.

-       A new attempt by Hezbollah fighters to infiltrate across the border is thwarted.

-       In Israel, several reserve units are mobilized.

July 13:

-       125 rockets are launched at northern Israel; 2 civilians are killed and 67 wounded.

-       The IDF drops leaflets over southern Lebanon, calling on civilians to evacuate the area.

-       Israeli forces continue striking Hezbollah targets; among others, two airfields in the center of the country are attacked; the Beirut-Damascus highway is also bombed.

-       According to official statements, 59 rocket launchers and approximately half of the medium-range missile stockpile are destroyed.

-       The Israeli Navy imposes a total blockade on the Lebanese coast.

July 14:

-       Hezbollah launches over 100 rockets at Israel; 2 civilians are killed and 19 wounded.

-       Two anti-ship missiles launched by Hezbollah fighters hit an Egyptian civilian ship and an Israeli corvette (the latter 10 nautical miles off the coast); 4 Israeli sailors are killed.

-       The IDF uses artillery and air power to attack hundreds of Hezbollah targets, including in Beirut; Beirut airport is bombed; a communication route linking southern Lebanon to Damascus is also hit.

-       Israeli fighter jets drop 23 tons of bombs on Hezbollah's headquarters, located in a bunker in Beirut; the group's leaders survive the attack.

-       The Israeli Prime Minister announces the ceasefire conditions: the implementation of UN Resolution 1559 of 2004 (which called for the disarmament of paramilitary groups in Lebanon and government control over the entire territory); the release of the two captured soldiers; the cessation of attacks on Israel.

July 15:

-       Over 100 rockets launched at Israel; the town of Tiberias, located more than 30 km from the border, is also hit.

-       The IDF continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon; 44 targets are engaged.

-       Israeli fighter jets attack all radars along the Lebanese coast; 10 radars are destroyed.

July 16:

-       The city of Haifa (35 km from the border) is hit by 47 rockets; 8 civilians killed, 77 wounded.

-       The IDF continues its attacks against Hezbollah on Lebanese territory; 80 targets are engaged.

July 17: airstrikes on Hezbollah targets continue.

July 18:

-       Israeli forces attack over 100 targets in Lebanon.

-       Two armed groups attempting to infiltrate Israel are neutralized.

July 19:

-       116 rockets launched; the city of Nazareth (40 km from the border) is also hit; one civilian killed, 18 wounded.

-       The IDF strikes Hezbollah weapon depots, command posts, and launch positions; several road communication links are hit; in total, over 200 targets are struck from the air, ground, and sea.

-       Following a battle between an Israeli subunit and Hezbollah formations in southern Lebanon, 2 Israeli soldiers are killed and 7 wounded.

July 20:

-       Over 150 airstrikes on Hezbollah targets.

-       Two Israeli AH-64 Apache attack helicopters collide in mid-air; 1 killed and 3 wounded.

-       An Israeli special forces subunit infiltrates the village of Maroun al-Ras (2 km from the border) but falls into an ambush, suffering casualties.

July 21:

-       40 targets engaged by Israeli forces.

-       The deployment of reserve forces to northern Israel begins.

July 22:

-       Hezbollah launches 129 rockets at northern Israel; 35 civilians are wounded.

-       The IDF initiates ground operations; over 2,000 Israeli soldiers enter Lebanon; Israeli units capture the village of Maroun al-Ras.

-       Over 150 Hezbollah targets are hit.

July 23: Israeli forces bombard over 120 targets in Lebanon.

July 24:

-       111 rockets launched, 17 Israeli civilians wounded.

-       Israeli forces begin the assault on the town of Bint Jbeil (4 km from the border), a Hezbollah stronghold; casualties are reported on both sides.

-       An attack helicopter crashes in northern Israel.

-       270 Hezbollah targets are engaged.

July 25: over 180 airstrikes are being carried out in Lebanon.

July 26:

-       169 rockets launched, 32 Israeli civilians injured.

-       The assault on Bint Jbeil continues.

July 27:

-       Fights in Bint Jbeil.

-       Over 120 airstrikes are being carried out in Lebanon.

July 28:

-       60 airstrikes are being carried out against Hezbollah targets.

-       Israeli artillery is firing on Hezbollah positions near the border.

July 29:

-       86 rockets launched, 10 Israeli civilians injured; Hezbollah hits the city of Afula (50 km from the border) with a Khaibar-1 rocket (100 km range, 150 kg payload [6]).

-       Israeli forces are withdrawing from Bint Jbeil due to losses.

-       Israeli fighter jets hit over 60 targets in Lebanon.

July 30:

-       Intense fighting is taking place in southern Lebanon between Israeli units and Hezbollah armed groups.

-       The Israeli Air Force is carrying out 80 strikes against Hezbollah targets.

-       Israeli troops are moving forward in southern Lebanon.

July 31:

-       6 rockets launched, 25 Israeli civilians injured.

-       The IDF is significantly scaling back strikes on Hezbollah targets.

-       Israeli forces begin the assault on Ayta ash-Shab (1 km from the border).

August 1:

-       Fighting continues in Ayta ash-Shab, with casualties on both sides.

-       An Israeli special forces commando (200 troops) carries out a raid in Baalbek (northern Lebanon) to recover the two soldiers kidnapped on July 12, but they are not found; five Hezbollah members are captured.

August 2:

-       230 rockets launched, 1 civilian killed, 88 injured.

-       Israeli forces are attempting to extend their area of control in southern Lebanon up to the Litani River (approximately 25 km from the border).

-       Over 50 targets engaged.

August 3:

-       213 rockets launched, 8 civilians killed, 76 injured.

-       Israeli forces resume the assault on Bint Jbeil and capture the western sector of the city.

-       The Israeli Air Force is carrying out over 120 strikes against Hezbollah targets.

-       Intense fighting between Israeli units and Hezbollah detachments, with casualties on both sides.

August 4:

-       Over 30 targets are being engaged by Israeli forces.

-       An Israeli special forces commando carries out a raid on a rocket launch site in a village near Tyre; 13 Hezbollah members are killed and 10 Israeli soldiers are wounded.

August 5:

-       170 rockets launched, 4 civilians killed, 50 injured.

-       The Israeli Air Force is carrying out over 70 strikes against Hezbollah forces.

-       Fighting continues in Bint Jbeil and in several localities across southern Lebanon.

August 6:

-       Israeli forces continue operations in Bint Jbeil and in several localities across southern Lebanon.

-       The Israeli Air Force is carrying out over 170 strikes on targets across multiple areas of Lebanon.

August 7:

-       185 rockets launched, 12 civilians injured.

-       82 Hezbollah targets are hit.

-       A UAV launched from Lebanon was intercepted after crossing the border and entering Israeli airspace.

-       Fighting continues in Bint Jbeil.

August 8:

-       Israeli forces continue operations in Bint Jbeil and several localities in southern Lebanon; Israeli troops are clearing vast areas, capturing weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

-       The Israeli Air Force is carrying out over 200 sorties to conduct raids on targets in Lebanon.

August 9: the IDF continues air and ground operations in Lebanon.

August 10:

-       155 projectiles launched; 2 civilian fatalities and 21 injuries reported.

-       Israeli forces capture the town of Marjayoun (8 km from the border).

-       Engagements persist in Bint Jbeil.

August 11:

-       123 rockets launched, 26 civilians injured.

-       The UN issues Resolution 1701, which provides for: the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon; the disarmament of all paramilitary groups; the only authorized armed forces south of the Litani are UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army; the release of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers.

-       Israeli forces expand area of control in south Lebanon; ongoing fighting in Bint Jbeil.

-       Israeli units are commencing an assault on Hezbollah positions within Wadi Saluki (Saluki Valley, approx. 5 km from the border).

August 12:

-       Israeli aviation is engaging more than 80 targets across southern Lebanon.

-       Heavy engagements between Israeli ground forces and Hezbollah elements in southern Lebanon, including Bint Jbeil; offensive operations in Wadi Saluki are ongoing; multiple Israeli tanks have been damaged or destroyed.

-       The Lebanese government and Hezbollah accept UN Resolution 1701.

August 13:

-       213 projectiles launched; 1 civilian fatality and 105 injuries reported.

-       Israeli forces continue striking Hezbollah targets; over 200 airstrikes are being carried out.

-       An Israeli air assault operation has been executed in southern Lebanon; heavy engagements are ongoing, with losses sustained by both parties.

-       The Government of Israel has formally accepted the terms of UN Resolution 1701.

August 14:

-       The final Israeli airstrike is carried out.

-       Israeli forces succeed in taking control of Wadi Saluki.

-       The ceasefire agreement is now in effect; IDF forces are ceasing all offensive operations.

-       Hezbollah leadership announces it will continue to attack Israeli forces as long as they remain in Lebanon (pending their replacement by the UNIFIL mission).

August 15:

-       Hezbollah has breached the truce, launching 10 Grad reactive projectiles from positions north of the Litani River.

-       Engagements reported between Hezbollah operatives and Israeli military personnel.

-       The deployment of UNIFIL and the withdrawal of the bulk of Israeli forces (30,000 personnel) has commenced, with a 48-hour completion window; some Israeli units maintain positions in southern Lebanon.

September 8: the Israeli Navy lifts the blockade imposed on Lebanon.

September 17: the deployment of the Lebanese Army (15,000 troops) begins in southern Lebanon.

October 1: Israeli forces are withdrawing from Lebanon, but several subunits remain in a border town.

          The balance of actions shows figures in Israel's favor. 119 Israeli soldiers were killed, while on the equipment side, the main losses consisted of 52 tanks (45 hit by anti-tank missiles and 7 damaged by mines/explosive devices; out of the total of 52, 5 were completely destroyed) and 5 aircraft (one shot down, four in accidents). Hezbollah recorded over 500 members killed. The Israeli Air Force executed over 100,000 sorties, in addition to 16,000 UAV flight hours, and struck over 7,000 targets. Israeli artillery fired over 170,000 shells. 126 rocket launchers were destroyed. Hezbollah launched a total of 3,970 rockets and missiles of various sizes. Over 900 Lebanese civilians and 41 Israelis were killed. In southern Lebanon, 73 bridges and road sections totaling 640 km were destroyed. Approximately one million Lebanese and between 300,000 and 500,000 Israelis were forced to flee [7].

          Compared to the June 1982 campaign, major differences are immediately apparent. First and foremost, the Israeli Air Force completely dominated the battlefield. There were no longer any Syrian anti-aircraft missile batteries or fighter jets to pose a challenge. Israeli pilots were able to attack designated targets, generally unhindered. There were minor exceptions, due to the presence—albeit rare—of short-range rocket launchers and heavy machine guns. However, the successes from the beginning of the 1982 campaign were not repeated. Not by a long shot.

          On July 13, the Israeli Air Force heavily struck rocket launch sites and the warehouses where they were stored. The operations were planned based on intelligence gathered over six years.[8] It was to be expected. After 1985, Israeli forces withdrew from most areas of Lebanon. Until 2006, special services gathered intelligence on armed groups in Lebanon, especially in the south: headquarters, depots, positions, hardware, equipment, and so on. However, the success reported by the IDF on July 13 did not prevent Hezbollah from continuing its bombing campaign against Israeli territory. Moreover, the effectiveness of the attacks was contested by independent analysts. One argument in this regard is the fact that Hezbollah's television headquarters was hit 15 times throughout the campaign, yet it continued to broadcast with only brief interruptions. Interestingly, the number of air combat missions reached 11,897—higher than during the Yom Kippur War (11,223).[9] All of this clearly demonstrates that the strikes had little effect, despite the high number of air missions and munitions used, and that Hezbollah had meticulously prepared for such a conflict.

          The ground campaign brought surprises for the Israeli military. They admitted that Hezbollah fighters were well-prepared and equipped with body armor and night-vision devices. It was observed that their tactical objective was precise: to inflict as many casualties as possible among the Israelis. They were aware that Israeli society would no longer accept such losses. Another novel element was the fact that Hezbollah members were equipped with anti-tank missiles. These were used not only against tanks, but also against buildings and positions. Twenty-two tanks were penetrated by missiles, even though they were equipped with advanced protection systems.[10] The primary types of anti-tank missiles used were the Russian-made Kornet-E and Metis-M. Hezbollah fighters had large quantities at their disposal and used them even against individual soldiers. It was estimated that some of these were equipped with thermobaric warheads.[11]

          Protests broke out in Israel on a rather small scale[12], but they did not spread because there was no time. The campaign was short. One conclusion is clear: Israel could no longer afford a long campaign with heavy casualties. It only needed a lightning war with spectacular results, as in 1956 and 1967. However, the adversaries were no longer the same. After the end of hostilities, a group of demobilized soldiers, supported by civil society, considered the Israeli operations a failure and called for an investigation into the causes of the campaign's lack of success, fearing repercussions for Israel's future security. The government established a commission for this purpose, which resulted in a formal report. According to the report, the campaign 'missed an opportunity' (meaning the defeat of Hezbollah – author's note) and 'Israel initiated a long war that ended without a definitive military victory.' The report summarized that the military response to Hezbollah's actions was inadequate, and despite clear military superiority, the rocket launches toward Israel could not be stopped. 'The offensive resulted in neither military gains nor was it complete.'.[13] In any case, the report could not have reflected anything else; the facts were obvious.

          Did Israeli ground troops reach the Litani River? On August 10, they managed to occupy the town of Marjayoun, located about 4 km from the river. But did they succeed in controlling the entire southern bank (or eastern bank, in southeastern Lebanon)? No, they did not. Did they manage to reach the river toward the end of the campaign? Yes, they succeeded in certain places, and even crossed it. However, this was not the general situation. These were merely exceptions.[14]

          The question about the Litani is not accidental. The answer shows that Israeli forces failed to take control of the areas in southern Lebanon from which Hezbollah was launching its strikes. It was only on August 14 that they managed to control Wadi Saluki, a location just 5 km from the border. And examples are plenty. This happened despite numerical superiority, air supremacy, the massive technological gap, and intense, continuous bombardment. Fortified zones, anti-tank missiles, and the training and determination of Hezbollah fighters prevented one of the world's most powerful forces from seizing control of a relatively small area. The traditional advantages were no longer functioning as they once had. Air power did not significantly affect the enemy, who were dispersed in small, mobile groups or stationed in shelters and bunkers that withstood Israeli projectiles and bombs. Even the powerful Israeli intelligence system failed to provide enough information to enable strike forces to hit the right targets with the right assets. The blitzkrieg no longer worked. Surprise could not be achieved because Hezbollah itself had initiated the confrontation and was prepared for it. Furthermore, it took full advantage of Israeli vulnerabilities: the inability to sustain a prolonged campaign, primarily due to casualties, a society reluctant toward military actions involving large numbers of troops, and inadequate preparation for urban warfare. One example is the Israeli forces' inability to take control of the town of Bint Jbeil (30,000 inhabitants), located only a few kilometers from the border. This meant it was within range of Israeli artillery, including light artillery. Long supply lines were not necessary, and armored vehicles could reach the location relatively easily. Nevertheless, the town remained partially under Hezbollah control.[15]

          The trump cards were no longer working. And the danger remained. It was not just about Hezbollah. This was merely an armed group—powerful, it is true—right on Israel's doorstep. It was about Iran. The threat was looming larger and larger on the horizon.

  

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[1] “Israel has invaded Lebanon six times in the past 50 years – a timeline of events”, The Deeping, accessed March 30, 2026, https://www.thedeeping.eu/2024/10/07/israel-has-invaded-lebanon-six-times-in-the-past-50-years-a-timeline-of-events/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

[2] “What the 2006 Lebanon War?”, Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute, accessed April 2, 2026, https://bootcampmilitaryfitnessinstitute.com/2021/11/24/what-the-2006-lebanon-war/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

[3] “Second Lebanon War: Background & Overview”, Jewish Military Library, accessed April 2, 2026, https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/lebanon2.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

[4] Capt Neville Parton, Royal Air Force, Israel’s 2006 Campaign in the Lebanon. A failure of air power or a failure of doctrine? Royal Air Force Air Power Review, Summer 2007, p. 83.

[5] “The Second Lebanon War: A Timeline”, IDF official webpage, accessed March 30, 2026, https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/hezbollah/the-second-lebanon-war-a-timeline/?utm_source=chatgpt.com; “The Second Lebanon War (2006)”, Israeli Government official webpage, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ section, accessed March 31, 2026, https://www.gov.il/en/pages/hizbullah-attack-in-northern-israel-and-israels-response-12-jul-2006; “What the 2006 Lebanon War?”, Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute; LTC Haany T. Nakhleh, Lebanese Army, The 2006 Israeli War On Lebanon: Analysis and Strategic Implications, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013, accessed April 3, 2026, https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA468848.pdf; “Second Lebanon War: Background & Overview”, Jewish Military Library.

[6] Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), section Missile Threat, “Missiles and Rockets of Hezbollah” page, accessed March 31, 2026, https://missilethreat.csis.org/country/hezbollahs-rocket-arsenal/.

[7] Capt Neville Parton, Op. cit, p. 86; “What the 2006 Lebanon War?”, Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute.

[8] “What the 2006 Lebanon War?”, Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] “Hezbollah`s Thermobaric Arsenal (maybe)”, Military.com, accessed April 15, 2026, https://www.military.com/defensetech/2006/08/22/hezbollahs-thermobaric-arsenal-maybe?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

[12] “What the 2006 Lebanon War?”, Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute.

[13] Ibid.

[14] “Fighting Intensifies as Israel Pushes Farther Into Lebanon”, Los Angeles Times, accessed April 15, 2026, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-aug-02-fg-mideast2-story.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com; The University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas Libraries, Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection, section Israel-Lebanon War Maps – 2006, accessed April 15, 2026, https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/mideast_war_2006.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

[15] “Hezbollah claims engaging Israeli forces directly in southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil”, Dawn E-paper, accessed April 21, 2026, https://www.dawn.com/news/1990242/hezbollah-claims-engaging-israeli-forces-directly-in-southern-lebanese-town-of-bint-jbeil?utm_source=chatgpt.com; “Bint Jbeil and Khiam: Israel and Hezbollah locked in battle for 'highly symbolic' yet strategic towns”, The National, accessed April 21, 2026, https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/04/16/bint-jbeil-and-khiam-israel-and-hezbollah-locked-in-battle-for-highly-symbolic-yet-strategic-towns/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.