The Forgotten Conflict: Did Lebanon Declare War on Israel?
Introduction
On July 12, 2006, a long-drawn-out conflict began between Lebanon and Israel. This war, known as the Second Lebanon War or Operation Change of Direction 2, lasted for 33 days and resulted in a massive destruction of the war-torn country, leading to the displacement of approximately one million people, many of whom were Palestinians.
This article aims to address the question: did Lebanon declare war on Israel? While the Israeli media, governments, and apologists frequently claim that Lebanon unilaterally declared war, an examination of historical documents and international law raises important questions about the context, intent, and effects of Israel’s actions leading up to the conflict.
Did Lebanon Declare War on Israel?
While many people assume that Lebanon launched an attack on Israel on July 12, 2006, and, subsequently, declared war on Israel, a careful review of the events that preceded and followed the hostilities challenges this narrative. There are several reasons for questioning Lebanon’s alleged war declaration.
- Israeli Attacks: Israel had a history of violating Lebanese airspace, bordering territories, and bombing Lebanese infrastructure since its withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.
- Karine M Execution: On January 15, 2008, an Israeli air attack in international waters targeted a suspected Israeli-owned ship carrying an Israeli cargo of anti-rocket artillery and tank destroyers, which, upon closer inspection, led authorities to conclude that they had unintentionally killed four Egyptian members of the Egyptian passenger plane crash into the Mediterranean.
After Operation Change of Direction 2, Hizbullah launched Katyusha rockets against civilian population areas in northern Israel to strike at Israeli military strongpoints.
Background Context: A History of Incursion
Israel’s claim to sovereignty over the area west of the Litani River has been a key dispute for decades. Under Security Council Resolution 242 and subsequent agreements, it Occupied Palestine West of the River but remained outside the boundaries designated to them by the resolution Golan Heights are illegal in international law due to this occupation Article 42 of the Four Geneva Conventions stipulate.
The annexed borders were established unilaterally by Israel when no longer recognized as state status on the world for annexed territory in favor. For this reason Israel also illegal under international humanitarian and Humanitarian Law. Occupation that took place without explicit invitation Article 77 United Nations Charter which sets aside the annexing an Occupation will come after the withdrawal agreement if and only if not provided Article 10 (2) This may only be made known within this context and all attempts must be made so you must not make* 1*.
However, some countries and countries or state of Palestine under Resolution 242 Israel West. In this time also occurred that the war zone did take place and an understanding did not come by these wars.
Hezbollah Response
In Lebanon and beyond, many voices condemn and criticize the country and, in particular Hizbullah for defending. So, if all there.
