Per IDF: 56 soldiers killed[e] 156 soldiers injured[45][46][47][48] Per Hezbollah:[49] 95+ soldiers killed[50] 900+ soldiers injured[50] 42 Merkava tanks destroyed 4 military bulldozers destroyed Per Al Jazeera and Israeli Defence Ministry: 900+ soldiers injured[51][52]
Per Lebanon: 2,720 Lebanese killed[53] (mostly civilians[54]) 7 Lebanese Army soldiers killed[55][56][57] 28 medics killed[58][59] (including medics affiliated with Hezbollah,[60] and the Amal Party[61]) 40 search and rescue personnel killed[62]
Per IDF: 3,500 Hezbollah fighters killed[63] 8 surrendered[64] Thousands injured, at least 7,000 severely or moderately[65][66] 80% of pre-war Hezbollah rockets and missiles destroyed[67] (denied by Hezbollah)[68]
On 30 September, Israel declared parts of its northern border with Lebanon as closed military zones.[83] At the start of the invasion, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) withdrew from parts of the Blue Line.[84] Israel said it aimed to take out Hezbollah's forces and infrastructure that could pose a threat to civilian communities in northern Israel.[85][86][87][88] Hezbollah said it aimed to pressure Israel by forcing it to fight on two fronts.[80] On 27 November, Israel and Hezbollah began a ceasefire.[89][90]
The last time Israel invaded southern Lebanon and engaged in ground combat with Hezbollah was during the month-long 2006 Lebanon War.[91]
According to security expert Sobelman, Israel had spent two decades preparing for the next war with Hezbollah.[92]
Shortly after the onset of the Israel–Hamas war in October 2023, Hezbollah joined the conflict, citing solidarity with Palestinians,[93] which quickly escalated into regular cross-border military exchanges impacting areas in or around northern Israel, southern Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights of Syria.[94] Hezbollah said it aimed to pressure Israel by forcing it to fight on two fronts.[80] Hezbollah has offered an immediate ceasefire should a ceasefire also happen in Gaza.[95][96] From 8 October 2023 to 20 September 2024, Hezbollah has launched 1,900 cross border attacks, and Israel has launched another 8,300.[97] The fighting killed 564 in Lebanon (including 133 civilians),[98] and 52 in Israel (including 27 civilians), displaced entire communities in Israel and Lebanon,[98] with significant damage to civilian infrastructure.[99]
Israel requested that Hezbollah implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (UNSCR 1701) and withdraw its forces north of the Litani River.[100][101] Hezbollah has stated it will continue attacking Israel until Israel halts its operations in Gaza.[102] Both Israel and Hezbollah have outstanding obligations under UNSCR 1701.[103][100][104] Hezbollah has established strong military presence in southern Lebanon, storing rockets in civilian sites, building tunnels into Israel, and obstructing United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's (UNIFIL) access.[105][88] Israel continues to occupy Ghajar and an adjacent area,[104][106] and has repeatedly breached Lebanese airspace, waters, and borders.[107][108][109] UNIFIL reports that Israel entered Lebanese airspace on more than 22,000 occasions between 2007 and 2021.[110][111] Diplomatic efforts, led by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and France, have so far been unsuccessful in resolving the conflict.[112][113]
September 2024 escalation
On 15 September, leaflets bearing an IDF logo were observed in southern Lebanon. They contained the text, "Hezbollah is firing from your area", urging residents to relocate north and to refrain from returning "until the war is over". The IDF said that they were distributed without senior authorisation and that the incident was being investigated.[114]
On 17 and 18 September, thousands of Hezbollah's handheld pagers and walkie-talkies exploded in a coordinated series of attacks.[115] The explosions killed 42 people and injured at least 3,500, including civilians.[116][117][118] Reuters reported that, according to an unnamed Hezbollah official, 1,500 Hezbollah fighters were taken out of action due to injuries, with many blinded or having lost their hands.[119] Despite Israel denying involvement with the attack,[120] unnamed Israeli sources told Reuters and other media that it was orchestrated by Israel's intelligence service (Mossad) and military.[121][122][115] In response, Hezbollah, who described the attack as a possible declaration of war by Israel, launched a rocket attack on northern Israel a few days later.[123][124]
People in southern Lebanon and Beirut received mobile phone calls and messages that told them to relocate.[127] IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a video address, "We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately evacuate for their own safety".[128]
On 1 October, the IDF revealed that its special forces had carried out more than 70 small covert raids into southern Lebanon since November 2023, but had not clashed with Hezbollah fighters during these raids.[133] The IDF said it had uncovered Hezbollah tunnels, weaponry, and invasion plans in villages near the border, including Ayta ash-Shaab, Mais al-Jabal and Kfar Kila.[87] IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari said they found Hezbollah plans to launch an attack similar to Hamas' 7 October attacks, which sparked the ongoing conflict.[79] Hagari also mentioned that evidence from these operations, including videos and maps, would be presented to the international community. Hezbollah has not commented on his claims.[79] Hagari alleged that the group was preparing for an attack similar to the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel.[86][79]
On 1 October, IDF troops crossed the border into Lebanon in a series of small scale raids intended to precede a broader ground incursion.[139][140][141] Witnesses have said that they have heard sounds of tanks in Southern Lebanon.[142][bettersourceneeded][91] There were also reports of heavy artillery striking the border towns of Southern Lebanon.[143] On 1 October, the IDF confirmed the existence of their ground operation in a statement on Telegram, specifying that they intended to strike Hezbollah infrastructure. Shortly after the release of this statement, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari also confirmed the operation.[144] Prior to the release of these statements, the IDF had made no announcements about the operation.[citation needed] The IDF ordered residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to immediately relocate to north of the Awali River.[145]
IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that heavy fighting was taking place in southern Lebanon with Hezbollah. He warned residents to not move in vehicles from north of Litani River to south of the river. The IDF also said that projectiles were launched to Avivim and Metula.[146] However, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said they were not yet fighting Hezbollah face-to-face.[147] Another Israeli military official said that they had not yet clashed with Hezbollah on the ground, and that IDF troops had so far been operating in villages only hundreds of meters across the border. Hezbollah denied that Israeli troops had entered Lebanon.[148]
The IAF struck 100 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon while soldiers of the Northern Command destroyed several military sites and weapons.[150]
An Israeli strike on a house in Al-Dawoudiya killed at least ten people and injured five others.[151]
Retaliation by Hezbollah
Hezbollah launched ten rockets from southern Lebanon to Israel[152] and a drone towards central Israel.[153] Hezbollah said that it targeted IDF sites, Israeli communities and soldiers with 12 separate strikes.[154] Three rockets were launched from Lebanon towards Upper Galilee.[155] Hezbollah said that it targeted Israeli soldiers in Metula with rockets and artillery.[156]
"A number of" rockets were launched from Lebanon to Israel, moderately injuring two people.[157][158] Hezbollah said that it targeted Unit 8200 headquarters in Tel Aviv with Fadi-4 rockets and Mossad headquarters in the suburbs of Tel Aviv.[29] Approximately 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel.[159] Hezbollah said that its missiles targeted Sde Dov, an airport and airbase in the outskirts of Tel Aviv that was closed and demolished more than four years before the attack.[160][161]
Israeli strikes elsewhere
The IDF called for evacuations of at least 500 meters from particular buildings with Hezbollah facilities in parts of southern Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, as they were preparing to bomb them.[140] The IDF conducted at least two airstrikes in Dahieh.[162] The IDF claimed that Muhammad Jaafar Qasir, a Hezbollah commander responsible for transferring Iranian weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, was killed in an airstrike in Beirut.[163] The IDF said that it killed the commander of Hezbollah's Imam Hussein division in an airstrike in Beirut.[32]
On 2 October, Israeli forces were ambushed by Hezbollah fighters in Odaisseh and forced to retreat while attempting to dismantle militant infrastructure. Six soldiers from the Egoz Unit were killed and several others were injured, including five seriously. The IDF said that another 20 Hezbollah militants were killed during the clash.[170][171] Two soldiers of the Golani Brigade were killed and another was injured in combat in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah said it destroyed three Merkava tanks with guided missiles as they approached Maroun al-Ras.[172] A medic from the brigade was injured in a separate incident.[171] The IDF also announced that an officer of the Paratroopers Brigade's 202nd Battalion was killed in combat.[173]
An Israeli air strike destroyed three houses in the Bekaa Valley killing 11 people.[174]
Hezbollah fired around 100 rockets at northern Israel.[177] Hezbollah said that it targeted areas north of Haifa using missiles.[178] It also targeted Shtula and Israeli infantry in Misgav Am.[179]
Israeli aircraft struck the southern suburbs of Beirut.[180] Israeli soldiers from the 98th division's two Brigades managed to capture a Hezbollah installation in southern Lebanon capturing a large cache of weaponry, ammunition amongst other things as well as claiming to have captured/destroyed 150 Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon in coordination with IAF.[181] After the airstrike, Beirut residents reported a sulphur-like smell. The National News Agency reported that Israel had used phosphorus bombs in the heavily populated Bashoura district. According to Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, the use of phosphorus bombs in civilian areas is prohibited.[182]
Hezbollah engaged Israeli soldiers entering Maroun al-Ras from its eastern side claiming to have inflicted several casualties amongst the Israelis.[183] The LAF said that an IDF force crossed the Blue Line in the areas of Khirbet Yaroun and Odaisseh and claimed they retreated after an incursion of about 400m.[184] The IDF announced that the IAF struck 150 Hezbollah sites since the ground offensive began.[185] A LAF soldier was injured in an IDF drone strike while one of its units was working to open a road at the entrance of Kawkaba.[186]
Hezbollah claimed that it killed or injured Israeli soldiers trying to circumvent Yaroun by detonating an explosive device.[187]
Hezbollah fired 40 rockets at Safed and several drones at the Upper Galilee.[188]
Deaths and injuries
The IDF announced the death of nine soldiers during combat in southern Lebanon.[189][43] It also said that since the start of the invasion, 50 Hezbollah militants have been killed, with thirty of them being killed in a single battle with the Egoz unit. Moreover, thirty Israeli soldiers were wounded, including seven seriously which were evacuated by Unit 669.[26]
Hezbollah claimed to have destroyed three Israeli Merkava tanks with guided missiles as they approached Maroun al-Ras.[190][191]
Damascus drone strike
Syrian state media reported that at least three civilians were killed and three injured in an Israeli drone strike in Damascus.[192] The strike killed the brother of the commander of Hezbollah's Unit 4400, who was also killed the day prior.[34]
Hezbollah claimed to have killed or injured all members of an Israeli infantry unit sheltering in a home outside Kafr Kila by detonating an explosive device in the house and targeting it using bullets and rocket-propelled grenades.[193] Hezbollah said that it targeted Israeli soldiers in Ya'ara with rockets.[194]
An Israeli airstrike on a Hezbollah-affiliated health facility a kilometre away from the Lebanese Parliament in central Beirut killed nine people, including seven paramedics, and injured 14 other people.[195][196]
3 October
Attack on Lebanese army and response
The LAF stated that the IDF targeted an army post in the Bint Jbeil area, and the LAF — for the first time in the invasion — fired back at the IDF.[9] One LAF soldier was killed.[9] Another LAF soldier was killed and four Lebanese Red Cross medics and another LAF soldier were injured in an Israeli strike in Taybeh while they were working on a rescue and evacuation mission.[197][198]
The LAF said that one of its soldiers was killed in an Israeli strike on a military outpost in Bint Jbeil. It also said that its soldiers responded to the sources of fire.[199]
Hezbollah strikes
Two drones targeted Bat Yam in central Israel, one of which was shot down and the other hit an open area.[200]
Hezbollah said that it launched surface-to-air missiles targeting an IDF helicopter flying above Beit Hillel claiming that it forced it to retreat.[201] Approximately 25 rockets and two drones were launched from Lebanon towards Israel.[202]
Hezbollah launched more than a dozen of strikes on Israeli targets.[203] Hezbollah claimed to have killed or wounded a group of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of Maroun al-Ras by detonating two explosive devices.[203][204]
Hezbollah fired ten rockets at the Lower Galilee, causing no casualties.[205]
Hezbollah claimed that it detonated a Sejil bomb at IDF forces in Yaroun, causing casualties. It also claimed to have launched a missile against a Merkava tank in Netu'a, while a rocket salvo targeted Israeli troops in Al-Thaghra in the outskirts of Odaisseh.[206]
Hezbollah fired 100 Katyusha rockets, six Falaq rockets and mortars at Metula.[207][208] Hezbollah said that it targeted Safed and Kafr Giladi using rockets.[207]
According to Hezbollah, six IDF infiltration attempts into southern Lebanon were repelled by its forces.[209]
Casualties
Two Belgian journalists were wounded in Beirut.[210] A US resident was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.[211]
The IDF announced the death of two soldiers killed in combat.[43] Hezbollah stated that it had killed 17 IDF soldiers on 3 October.[212]
The World Health Organization said that 28 health care workers were killed in Lebanon over the past 24 hours.[213] Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said that 40 paramedics and firefighters including emergency personnel from organisations affiliated with Hezbollah were killed in Lebanon in three days.[62]
Israeli strikes
The IAF struck Hezbollah intelligence and communications sites in Beirut.[214]
An Israeli strike on the municipality building in Bint Jbeil killed 15 people. The IDF said that Hezbollah fighters were killed and the building was used by Hezbollah to store weapons.[215]
An Israeli airstrike on a building in southern Lebanon, around the area where soldiers from the Golani Brigade were operating, killed a Hezbollah field commander.[216]
An IRGC adviser died from wounds he sustained from an Israeli airstrike in Damascus three days prior.[217]
Personnel of the Golani Brigade attacked a military site where Hezbollah commanders were staying and captured the building. A commander of the Hezbollah Artillery Corps, a commander of the Hezbollah Engineering Corps and a local Redwan Force commander were killed in the battle.[35]
IDF claims
The IDF said that it struck 15 Hezbollah sites in Beirut, including weapon depots and manufacturing sites.[218]
In total, IDF claimed to have killed more than 100 Hezbollah militants since the start of the war.[219]
Senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, who was expected to succeed Nasrallah as the group's secretary-general following his assassination, was reportedly targeted by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.[220] It was unclear whether Safieddine had been killed.[221] Hezbollah said it had lost contact with Safieddine after the strike.[222]
4 October
UNIFIL
On 4 October, an international dispute occurred as the IDF ordered an Irish UNIFIL peacekeeping unit deployed in southern Lebanon to abandon their border outpost.[223] Ireland rejected the orders, with President Michael D. Higgins calling them "outrageous".[224]
Masnaa Border Crossing strike
The IDF halted traffic at the Masnaa Border Crossing between Syria and Lebanon by striking "vital transportation infrastructure" using two missiles. The IDF had alleged that the border crossing was being used by Hezbollah for transferring weapons from Syria to Lebanon one day prior to the strike.[225]
Hezbollah strikes
Hezbollah said that it targeted Haifa using rockets.[226] A rocket launched from Lebanon fell in Upper Galilee area causing a forest fire. About 50 instances of rockets or shrapnel falling were reported in Metula in the past 24 hours.[227] Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets towards Israel.[228] Hezbollah claimed to have struck a group of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of Maroun al-Ras. Hezbollah said that it launched a missile strike on the Nafah IDF base in the Golan Heights and it also said that it targeted Kfar Giladi.[229] The IDF said that it struck Hezbollah weapons warehouses and infrastructure, including its intelligence headquarters in Beirut.[230]
The IDF said that over 250 Hezbollah fighters were killed in southern Lebanon since it began its ground offensive, including 21 field commanders.[232]
Hezbollah said that at least 20 Israeli elite soldiers were killed or wounded in clashes in a Lebanese village.[233]
Israeli control in Lebanon
Israel claimed operational control of "multiple" Shi'ite villages in southern Lebanon.[234][bettersourceneeded][which?]
Golani Brigade personnel operating in Southern Lebanon on 4 October
5 October
Hezbollah strikes
On 5 October 2024, Hezbollah claimed to have hit an Israeli Merkava tank as it was advancing in the Maroun al-Ras forest area using a guided anti-armor missile, resulting in casualties.[235]
Hezbollah claimed that it launched rockets targeting Israeli soldiers in Khallet Ubair village in Yaroun, as well as on Kafrioufel and Kfar Giladi in northern Israel.[236]
Hezbollah said that it launched at least seven strikes on IDF soldiers including launching Fadi 1 missiles targeting Ramat David IDF base and launching rockets targeting IDF soldiers in the vicinity of the border.[237]
Israeli strikes
An Israeli strike on a mosque in Bint Jbeil also hit nearby Salah Ghandour Hospital injuring nine of its medical staff. The IDF said that it targeted Hezbollah fighters in a command center embedded inside the mosque without providing evidence.[238][239]
IDF stated that it had started pouring cement into Hezbollah tunnels to make them unusable.[240]
President of FranceEmmanuel Macron called for a halt on arms deliveries to Israel, which Netanyahu condemned.[241] In an apparent retaliation of this, the IDF blew up a gas station in Beirut owned by the French petroleum companyTotalEnergies. The explosion resulted in a large fire, but no injuries were reported.[242][243]
Casualties
A female Red Cross volunteer from Baalbek died of a head injury sustained in an Israeli airstrike.[244] A missile hit in the vicinity of a paramedic team to prevent them from reaching the site of a bigger strike in a Beirut suburb.[245]
Hamas confirmed the death of Saeed Atallah Ali, one of its military officials, along with his wife and two young daughters in an Israeli drone strike in Beddawi refugee camp.[246]
A Hezbollah rocket attack lightly injured three people in Deir al-Asad and caused damage in Karmiel.[247]
6 October
Pope Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon.[248]
The Lebanese Education Ministry announced that 40% of the 1.25 million students in Lebanon had been displaced by the Israeli invasion and bombings.[249]
7 October
Israeli strikes
On 7 October, two Israeli airstrikes in towns south of Beirut killed at least 12 people, including several Lebanese children.[250]
Israeli warplanes struck a fire station building affiliated with the Islamic Health Authority in Baraachit, killing ten firefighters.[251][252]
Hezbollah strikes
On the anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, Hezbollah fired several rockets at northern Israel, wounding at least 10 people in Haifa and another in Tiberias. Alerts were activated in Upper Galilee after 15 rockets were detected.[253] The IDF announced the deaths of two soldiers in combat in the past 24 hours, on the Lebanese border, while another two were seriously injured.[254]
8 October
Israeli Namer APC in southern Lebanon on 8 October
The IDF was filmed raising the Israeli flag in Maroun al-Ras, seemingly indicating they had captured the village.[255][256][257] However, according to UNIFIL, IDF troops there later withdrew from Maroun al-Ras to unknown positions.[258][bettersourceneeded] Lebanese fishermen were forced to keep their boats ashore after Israel warned that it would expand its operations against Hezbollah to coastal areas south of Sidon.[259]
9 October
Hezbollah-affiliated sources stated the IDF had withdrawn from Odaisseh and Kfar Kila.[260] Netanyahu released an address to the government and people of Lebanon in English, saying that the country would face "destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza" if they did not rise up against Hezbollah.[261] IDF reported the death of one soldier during clashes in south Lebanon.[43]
Rescuers searching through ruins of the Melkite Church in Derdghaya after an Israeli strike on 10 October
Israel struck a church of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Tyre that was being used to shelter displaced people in Derdghaya, killing at least eight people.[262]
UNIFIL stated that the IDF had fired upon three peacekeeper positions, one being fired at on 9 October and two others being fired upon on 10 October. In one of the incidents, two were injured after a tank had shot at an observation tower, causing them to fall. No peacekeepers were harmed in the other two incidents.[263]
On the same day, Israeli troops opened fire at three UNIFIL positions in south Lebanon, including UNIFIL's main base at Naqoura.[264] The following day an IDF tank fired at the UNIFIL observation tower in Naqoura injuring two Indonesian peacekeepers. In the evening, a joint statement of condemnation was released by France, Italy and Spain, while US President Joe Biden asked Israel not to attack UNIFIL forces.[265]
Israeli airstrikes in two densely-populated neighborhoods in Bachoura in central Beirut killed at least 22 Lebanese people and injured another 117.[266] Israel said it was targeting Wafiq Safa, Hezbollah's liaison with Lebanon's security agencies. Safa survived the attack. This was the deadliest strike on Beirut since the start of the post-2023 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, leveling an apartment building and destroying nearby cars and building interiors. A US-made munition was used in the attack.[267]
On that night, UNIFIL reported receiving "significant damage" to its buildings in Ramyah due to explosions from nearby shelling.[268]
Israeli attack on Lebanese military checkpoint
According to the Lebanese army, an Israeli airstrike hit a building near a military checkpoint in Kafra, Bint Jbeil District in southern Lebanon, killing two LAF soldiers and wounding three other Lebanese troops.[269]
12 October
Israeli strikes
Nine people were killed and 24 others were wounded in Israeli strikes on the Lebanese villages of Maaysrah, in the mountains north of Beirut, and Barja, south of Beirut.[270]
Israel also struck the central commercial area of Nabatieh in the south. The Lebanese Red Cross said it was initially unable to reach the area of the strike due to large fires from the blast.[271]
Gunfire and explosions near UNIFIL facilities
A UNIFIL press release stated that "Last night, a peacekeeper at UNIFIL's headquarters in Naqoura was hit by gunfire due to ongoing military activity nearby." The statement also referred to buildings in their UN positions receiving "significant damage due to explosions from nearby shelling" in a separate incident in Ramyah.[268][272]
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for UNIFIL peacekeepers to immediately withdraw from Lebanon, calling them "human shields" for Hezbollah.[273] Later in the day, two Israeli tanks destroyed the main gate of a UNIFIL post in Ramyah and forcibly entered the post. Two hours later, the IDF fired rounds into the camp that caused smoke to rise, injuring 15 UNIFIL peacekeepers due to skin irritations and gastrointestinal reactions.[70] A report by one of the countries providing troops to UNIFIL said that the smoke was suspected to be white phosphorus, the use of which is unlawful in populated areas under international law.[274]
A Hezbollah drone attack on a gathering of IDF soldiers in Zar'it barracks in Binyamina killed at least four Israeli soldiers and wounded another 61.[275][47]
An Israeli airstrike hit the Maronite Christian town of Aitou in northern Lebanon, killing at least 21 and wounding eight.[276] The dead included including twelve women and two children and injured eight others.[277][278][279]
15 October
On 15 October, the UNHCR said that over 25% of Lebanon was under evacuation orders of Israel.[280] Israeli air strikes in Qana killed 15 people and injured 15 others.[281]
The French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated he supported UNIFIL remaining in place in Lebanon, despite Israel's orders for them to leave.[282]
Israeli strikes
Israel bombed homes and a healthcare center in Qana, which is notable for having previously experienced massacres in 1996 and 2006. At least 10 people died in the attacks, and 54 were injured.[283]
Israel bombed a meeting of the municipal council of Nabatieh, killing at least 16 municipality staff, including the mayor Ahmad Kahil , and injuring more than 52.[284][285]
Hezbollah strikes
Hezbollah fired a barrage of 30 rockets towards Karmiel, wounding two Israelis in Upper Galilee.[286]
Israeli attack on a UNIFIL watchtower
Israeli tanks fired at a UNIFIL watchtower in Kafr Kila. UNIFIL called the attack "deliberate fire on a UNIFIL position" and reported that the watchtower was damaged, along with two cameras.[287]
Israeli destruction of Mhaibib
The IDF released footage of them destroying a village. The Daily Telegraph reported that the village in the video was "confirmed to be Mhaibib by local officials".[288]Al Jazeera also reported that the village was Mhaibib.[289] In the same report, Al Jazeera published footage of soldiers they claimed were celebrating the destruction of the village, quoting the IDF as 'saying they were targeting "terrorist infrastructure."'[289]Reuters connected an IDF statement that it had '"dismantled" a tunnel network used by Hezbollah's elite Redwan Force in the heart of a town near the border with Israel' to the destruction of the village.[290] While the three outlets quoted the IDF regarding "terrorist infrastructure", they did not suggest that they had independently corroborated the IDF's allegation.
Casualties
Five IDF soldiers were reported killed in combat in southern Lebanon.[43]
17 October
The IDF confirmed that 5 soldiers had been killed in clashes with Hezbollah and 8 others were injured.[291]
UNIFIL shoots down armed drone
A German warship operating as a part of UNIFIL shot down a drone of unknown origin in the Mediterranean Sea about 30 kilometres (19mi) northwest of the Lebanese port of Naqoura.[292] According to the German defense ministry, there was no damage to the warship and no injuries to its crew.[293]
18 October
The IDF reported that a Israeli soldier died from wounds suffered in a 9 October attack in south Lebanon.[43]
Israel bombed a car driving on the main Lebanese highway containing two people in Sahel Alma, part of the city of Jounieh. The two people ran out of the car into a nearby field before being killed in a subsequent blast.[294][295]
A drone attack believed to have originated from Lebanon was made on the residence of Benjamin Netanyahu in the resort town Caesarea. Netanyahu was not in the residence at the time, and no casualties were reported.[296] In response, Netanyahu stated that "the proxies of Iran who today tried to assassinate me and my wife made a bitter mistake."[297] Iran has attributed the reported attack to Hezbollah, with the state-run IRNA news agency quoting Iran's mission to the UN saying: "The action in question has been carried out by Hezbollah in Lebanon."[298]
20 October
Destruction of observation tower in Marwahin
UNIFIL released a press statement stating that the IDF deliberately bulldozed a UNIFIL observation tower and perimeter fence in the Lebanese border town of Marwahin.[299]
IDF strike on LAF soldiers
An IDF airstrike killed three LAF soldiers driving in a vehicle near an IDF area of operation.[300][301]
21 October
A bomb hit a residential building across the street from the Rafik Hariri Univeristy hospital, killing at least 18, including four children, and injurying 60.[302]
Clashes
Hezbollah and the IDF engaged in clashes in the villages of Aita Al-Shaab and Ramiya as the IDF attempted to advance into the villages.[303]
22 October
On 22 October, an Israeli airstrike on a house in Teffahta killed 19 people.[304] An Israeli airstrike near the Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut killed at least 18 people, including four children, and injured at least 60 others.[305][306][307]
Hezbollah rocket barrage
Hezbollah conducted a rocket barrage on Neot Mordechai in northern Israel, a 27-year-old IDF reservist from Tel Aviv was killed and three other soldiers were seriously wounded.[308] Another soldier was killed in south Lebanon.[43]
23 October
Air attacks on Dahieh resumed in what was called one of the worst nights of bombing in the neighborhood to date. Six buildings, including the offices of Al Mayadeen, were destroyed in seventeen raids.[309]
Casualties
The IDF said that four of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, while six others were evacuated from Lebanon after being seriously wounded.[310] Hezbollah said that its fighters have killed more than 70 Israeli soldiers.[311]
24 October
Ayta al-Shaab clashes
Hezbollah reported that its fighters were engaged in ongoing "intense" clashes against IDF vehicles in Ayta al-Shaab. On the same day, Hezbollah said that it destroyed an Israeli tank with a guided missile, killing and wounding the soldiers inside.[311]
Military casualties
Five IDF soldiers were killed and 19 others were wounded in a southern Lebanon village. According to the IDF, Hezbollah forces attacked the building in which the soldiers were accepting logistics supplies.[48]
25 October
Three journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a residential compound housing media workers in Hasbaya. Two were employees of Al Mayadeen, and the other worked for Al Manar TV.[312]
26 October
The IDF said five of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon,[43] bringing the IDF's reported casualities up to 32 since 1 October, according to CNN.[313]
IDF attack on UNIFIL observation post near Dhayra on 22 October
A UNIFIL press release on 25 October stated that IDF soldiers fired at an observation post near the town of Dhayra on 22 October 2024.[314][315]
27 October
At least eight people were killed and 25 wounded in an Israeli strike on the Haret Saida neighoorhood of Sidon.[313]
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least 60 people,[316] including two children, were killed and 58 wounded in strikes on 12 areas of the Beqaa Valley. Israel bombed the southern towns of Rachaya al-Fakhar, Kfar Hamam, Alma ash-Shaab, and Naqoura with artillery shells.[317]
29 October
On 29 October, nine people were killed and a girl was trapped under rubble in an Israeli airstrike in Haret Saida, southeast of Sidon.[318][319] An Israeli airstrike in Sarafand killed 10 people and injured 21 others.[320][321] Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant claimed that Hezbollah maintained only 20% of the rockets and missiles it initially had before the conflict.[322] Hezbollah denied the claim.[323] The IDF said that its military goals in Lebanon had been achieved with the Israeli government planning to go ahead with diplomatic negotiations.[324] Israeli officials said the ceasefire negotiations were "in advanced stages" as White House special envoy Amos Hochstein traveled to the region to mediate the negotiations.[325]
An IDF soldier died of wounds suffered during battle the previous days.[326]
30 October
Israeli struck Baalbek, killing 19 people, including eight women. 20 strikes were reported in the area, five of which were in the city limits.[327][316]
The IDF claimed to have killed dozens of militants one day prior.[328] Israeli airstrikes in Sohmor killed 11 people and injured 15 others.[329] Israeli strikes killed 19 people, including eight women in two towns in Baalbek District.[327][330]
31 October
On 31 October, SANA reported that Israeli strikes hit a number of residential buildings in Al-Qusayr, causing "material damage" to its industrial zone and some of the its residential neighbourhoods killing 10 people, including civilians.[331][332] The IDF said that it struck Hezbollah command centers and weapon depots.[333]
Hezbollah fired rockets at the Haifa region, killing two Israelis, while four Thai workers and one Israeli national were killed in Metula.[334]
1 November
At least 52 Lebanese people were killed and 72 wounded in Israeli airstrikes in northeastern Lebanon.[335]
An Israeli airstrike on a home in Amhaz killed at least 12 people and injured several others.[336][337]
The IDF claimed it had killed a commander of the Nasser Brigade rocket unit of Hezbollah, Jaafar Khader Faoura,[338] and captured an unnamed "senior Hezbollah operative" from northern Lebanon and transported them into Israeli territory. The Lebanese government stated that it would file a complaint to the United Nations Security Council in response to the abduction.[339]
Hezbollah rocket attack
A rocket fired by Hezbollah injured 19 people in Tayibe in central Israel.[340]
3 November
At least three people were killed and nine wounded in an Israeli strike in Haret Saida.[341][342]
5 November
An Israeli strike on a residential building in Barja killed at least 30 people and injured several others including a woman and her child.[343]
A IDF soldier died from wounds suffered in the north.[43]
7 November
UNIFIL confirmed that five of its peacekeepers were injured by an Israeli airstrike on Sidon.[344]
8 November
An IDF soldier died from wounds sustained on 26 October.[43]
10 November
An Israeli airstrike in Aalmat village, Lebanon, killed at least 23 people, including seven children, and injured six others.[345]
An Israeli strike on a civil defense centre affiliated to the Islamic Mission Scouts Association in Ras al-Ain, Lebanon killed 15 people and injured two others.[346][347]
11 November
An Israeli airstrike on a building in Ain Yaaqoub killed at least 14 people, injured 15 others and trapped some people under the rubble.[348]
12 November
An Israeli air strike in Joun killed 15 people including eight women and four children and wounded 12 others.[349]
13 November
Six IDF soldiers from the Golani Brigade were killed in southern Lebanon.[43]
14 November
The IDF struck a building in the vicinity of Beirut International Airport, and footage shared by Lebanese media showed a passenger plane being taxied on the runway near the strike.[350] An Israeli airstrike on a civil defense center in Duris, Lebanon killed at least 15 people.[351][352][353] One IDF platoon commander of the Golani Brigade was killed in Lebanon.[43]
15 November
Twelve paramedics were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Duris.[354] One IDF soldier of the Golani Brigade was killed in south Lebanon.[43]
16 November
Israeli troops reached the deepest point in Lebanon since the start of the invasion. They briefly captured a hill in Chamaa and according to Lebanese state media, destroyed the Shrine of Shamoun Al Safa. Israeli warplanes attacked Dahiyeh, wounding a teenage girl, and also attacked Tyre. A strike on Khreibeh killed a family of six.[355]
19 November
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder stated that more than 200 children have been killed since the start of the Israeli invasion.[356][357][358] One IDF soldier was killed in south Lebanon.[43]
20 November
Three IDF soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon.[43]
22 November
Lebanon's health ministry stated that a hospital director and six others were killed by an Israeli airstrike in northeastern Lebanon, and a separate Israeli airstrike killed five paramedics in southern Lebanon.[359]
IDF troops reached the Litani River hours before Israel's security cabinet reached a ceasefire with Hezbollah.[364] The ceasefire stipulates that Hezbollah's militants would leave the border with Israel in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.[365][366]
27 November
The IDF estimated that it killed several dozens of Hezbollah operatives in its strikes on a Radwan Force base in Beqaa Valley in the night leading up to the truce.[367] The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect at 4:00a.m. UTC+02:00.[368]
28 November
Despite the ceasefire being in effect, Israel continued its offensive, with the IDF opening fire on at least six targets in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese Army stating that the IDF was in violation of the ceasefire. Additionally, the IDF told Lebanese citizens not to move south of the Litani River.[369]
29 November
Despite the ceasefire being in effect, the IDF continued its offensive into Khiam.[370]
Impacts
Lebanese healthcare
According to a CNN analysis of verified Lebanese Health Ministry data, between 23 September and 23 October, Israeli airstrikes damaged 34 hospitals, hit 107 ambulances, and killed 111 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Lebanon. The analysis also found that Israel had dropped bombs within "lethal proximity", 340 metres (1,120ft), of at least 19 hospitals and within 500 metres (1,600ft) of 24 hospitals.[302]
According to the Lebanese health ministry, Israeli strikes targeted 40 hospitals, 84 medical and ambulance centers, and a total of 243 medical facilities, killing at least 178 Lebanese medical staff members since October 2023.[371]
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that it would be unable to "deliver a large shipment of trauma and medical supplies" originally scheduled for October 4 to Lebanon due to the almost complete closure of Beirut's airport.[76] In a statement released on 16 October, the WHO stated that "[Israeli] attacks on hospitals and health workers jeopardize provision of health in Lebanon," adding that "out of 207 primary health care centres and dispensaries in conflict-affected areas, 100 are now closed."[372]
Early in the invasion, the near total closure of Beirut's airport prevented medical aid supply deliveries from the WHO.[76]
During the invasion, hospitals in Lebanon have experienced an increase in patients with miscarriages, early births, and other pregnancy complications, as people have been forced to flee their homes.[373]
At least one case of cholera has been confirmed in Lebanon, emerging from the poor sanitation and water conditions those displaced have been living in. The crowded shelters and public schools used to house the displaced population combined with the strained healthcare system have prompted fears of communicable disease outbreaks.[374]
Casualties
Since mid-September 2024, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least 2,267 people and injured 11,022 more, according to a CNN tally.[371] While in Mid-November 2024 Lebanon Ministry of Public Health reported 3,583 killed, including 231 children.[375]UNICEF confirmed that more than 200 children has been killed.[358] The Lebanese Health Ministry has reported that most Lebanese killed by Israel are civilians.[376][377][378]
Additionally, at least 1.2 million Lebanese civilians have been displaced as a result of Israeli bombings and evacuation orders, which the United Nations described as "the largest wave of displacement Lebanon has seen in decades".[76]
Human Rights Watch states that it has documented "flagrant violations of the laws of war and war crimes by the Israeli military, including apparently deliberate or indiscriminate attacks on journalists, civilians, medics, financial institutions, and peacekeepers, in addition to the widespread and unlawful use of white phosphorus in populated areas, among other violations."[379] Twenty NGOs have called on the UN members states of the UN Human Rights Council to convene a Special Session on the situation in Lebanon to investigate all violations of humanitarian and human rights law.[380]
Killing of civilians in Lebanon
On 5 November 2023, an Israeli airstrike hit a car near Ainata, Lebanon, killing three children and their grandmother, and injuring their mother. The IDF admitted to striking the vehicle.[381]Human Rights Watch stated that their killings should be investigated as an apparent war crime.[382]Najib Mikati, Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, called the attack a "heinous crime" and said that Lebanon would file a complaint to the UN Security Council.[381] According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 78 Syrian civilians were killed by the IDF.[383]
Attacks on Lebanese healthcare facilities and healthcare workers
According to Al Jazeera, Israel has "carried out more than 280 attacks on emergency medical facilities in Lebanon" in the first 13 months of the invasion. This has resulted in the deaths of at least 208 health care workers, and 311 other injuries.[384] Targeting health establishments and units, including hospitals and their medical staff, is illegal under international humanitarian law.[385] Human Rights Watch states that it has documented three Israeli attacks on Lebanese medical workers and healthcare facilities and refers to the attacks as "apparent war crimes."[386]
Attacks on civilian Hezbollah targets
In October 2024, Israel bombed financial institutions it stated were affiliated with Hezbollah, leading Amnesty International to state the strikes should be investigated as possible war crimes.[387]
Attacks on journalists
Reporters without Borders called for an independent investigation into a "possible war crime" in response to an Israeli airstrike that hit a guesthouse in the town of Hasbaya killing and injuring several journalists.[388]
Attacks on UNIFIL positions
In October 2024, Israel attacked the UNIFIL peacekeeping bases in southern Lebanon. In response, UNIFL stated, "Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701".[389] According to the Israeli Ambassador to the UN, "Hezbollah terrorists are using UNIFIL outposts as hiding places and as places of ambushes."[390] Human Rights Watch has called for a UN inquiry on the Israeli military's repeated attacks on UNIFIL's peacekeepers.[391]
Reactions
Lebanese government
The government of Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) issued a statement stating they would not be getting involved in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, following a meeting between Commander of the Lebanese Armed ForcesJoseph Aoun and Speaker of ParliamentNabih Berri.[8] The LAF withdrew some personnel from observation posts along the blue line, however, despite this, they have given no intention of withdrawing from territory south of the Litani River and have stated they will "respond to Israeli fire on its positions."[8][84]Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, has offered to deploy the LAF along the Blue Line if Hezbollah withdraws to the Litani River.[392][393]
Foreign Policy reported that "Lebanese and Western military officials as well as local politicians and notables" stated the LAF would stay out of the conflict "as long as it can" due to concerns that the LAF doesn't have the capability to win, or even credibly participate in fighting as the LAF only numbers 70,000 soldiers, many of whom also work other jobs, lacks any fighter jets and only owns outdated tanks.[392] Instead the LAF is focusing on being a "police force" to keep the various internal factions within Lebanon at peace while Hezbollah and Israel fight.[392][393] Additionally, the LAF has no intention of siding with Hezbollah, as that would cause all western arms shipments to the LAF to cease, since Hezbollah is recognized by the LAF's arms suppliers as a terrorist organization.[392][394] However, the LAF is at risk of losing the position of "the only legitimate defender of Lebanon" to Hezbollah should it remain out of the conflict, which would only strengthen Hezbollah's internal support within Lebanon.[392]
International community
Canada: Started evacuating its nationals from Lebanon by reserving 800 passenger seats on available commercial flights. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said that "The security situation in Lebanon is becoming increasingly dangerous and volatile".[395]
China: The Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry stated that China opposes "the violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."[396] China's embassy in Beirut announced on 2 October that it had evacuated over 200 Chinese citizens and their family members from Lebanon to China and Cyprus.[397]
Colombia: The Foreign Ministry organized the evacuation of 117 Colombians from Lebanon in Beirut by Colombia's Air Force while it was delivering humanitarian aide on 2 October.[398] In a statement on the evacuations, the Foreign Ministry "reiterate[d] Colombia's rejection of any military action against innocent citizens and call[ed] for an immediate ceasefire".[399]
France: Deployed a naval warship off the coast of Lebanon to aid in the evacuation of its nationals,[395] as well as sent humanitarian aid to Lebanon with the plane used on the way back to evacuate French citizens.[401] Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot traveled to Lebanon two days prior to the start of the invasion, stating France "stands with Lebanon" ahead of a war "it did not choose".[402] On 8 October, he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rhetoric on Israel's military operations in Lebanon a "provocation".[401]
Ireland: President Michael D. Higgins criticized Israel's actions as "outrageous" after it ordered an Irish UNIFIL peacekeeping unit to abandon their outpost in southern Lebanon.[403]
Italy: Foreign MinisterAntonio Tajani announced that Italy would be willing to send troops to the UN for the establishment of a Palestinian state due to instability caused by the invasion.[404]
NATO: Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed hope that "hostilities will end as soon as possible".[406]
Oman: The Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that it "expresses the Sultanate of Oman's condemnation and denunciation of the raids launched by the Israeli occupation forces on Lebanese territory." It also iterated Oman's "solidarity with the sisterly Lebanese Republic" and its "complete rejection of any violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territory".[407]
Russia: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow is concerned with the recent escalation in Lebanon.[411] The Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's invasion and called on Israel to "immediately cease hostilities, withdraw their troops from Lebanese territory and engage in a real search for peaceful ways to resolve the Middle East conflict."[412]
United Arab Emirates: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it held "deep concern" about the situation, that it had "reaffirmed its unwavering position towards the unity of Lebanon, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity", and that PresidentMohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had "directed the delivery of an urgent $100m relief package to the people of Lebanon".[406]
United Kingdom: Foreign SecretaryDavid Lammy stated the UK had chartered a commercial flight for its citizens wishing to leave Lebanon and that the flight would leave on 2 October from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport adding that "The safety of British citizens in Lebanon is our absolute priority".[395] Prior to the start of the invasion, Lammy had called for a "an immediate ceasefire" and "a political solution".[415]
United States: During a 30 September press conference, President Joe Biden responded to a reporter's question on Israel's actions in Lebanon saying he was aware of Israel's plans, but "comfortable with them stopping", adding "we should have a ceasefire now."[416] On 1 October however, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that the United States supported Israel's ground offensive.[406] On 7 October, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the United States supports Israel's "ability to target militants, to degrade Hezbollah's infrastructure, to degrade Hezbollah's capability".[417]
Since the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, many countries have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon and/or started evacuating them such as Australia, Canada, Colombia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[419][420]
In the case of the United States, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut announced on 27 September 2024 that it was "not evacuating U.S. citizens at this time."[421][422] In response, U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib stated the State Department was "leaving Americans behind and failing to protect their own citizens".[423] After the U.S. government announced a first flight, Al Jazeera wrote: "State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the flight carried 100 US citizens – a fraction of the nearly 6,000 Americans who have contacted the US embassy for information and help."[424]Lebanese-Americans filed a class-action lawsuit against the State Department in the hopes of expediting an evacuation.[425]
Evacuation has been taking place through the use of the countries' military aircraft, chartered flights or maritime routes via Cyprus. As of 5 October 2024, many airlines have indefinitely shut their services at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport due to Israeli airstrikes hitting areas nearby, though Lebanon's Middle East Airlines and regional carriers such as Iraqi Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines have been operating.[426]
Analysis
United States' waning influence
Writing for The Guardian, Andrew Roth assessed that the invasion showed Israel's willingness to ignore its chief ally, the United States, and the latter's lack of influence over the Netanyahu government. Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated that this was in part caused by the Democrats trying to avoid criticising Netanyahu before the U.S. presidential elections. Analysts believe that Netanyahu has a limited time frame before the US elections to attack Iranian proxies in the region.[427] Writers for ITV News, The Washington Post, and Politico agreed that the invasion highlighted the waning influence the U.S. government has on Israel.[428][429][430]
Personal motivations of Netanyahu
According to CNN's Stephen Collinson as well as Israeli observers, there is a long-standing suspicion among observers in Washington that Netanyahu has a strong personal interest in continuing the war to make amends for his failure to prevent the 7 October attacks and to delay ongoing legal proceedings against him for bribery, fraud, and breach of public trust.[431][432]
Hezbollah capabilities
Prior the ground invasion, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on September 28 noted that while Israeli strikes led to "temporary organizational paralysis" and "internal disarray", Hezbollah "should be able to overcome this disruption, however, if given the time and space to do so", and furthermore that killed Hezbollah commanders "have deputies who should in principle be able to fill those roles and help the force recover" despite "difficult circumstance". The ISW termed damage done to Hezbollah's leadership as "short term" and a "temporary effect" if given the chance to reconstitute.[33]
On 5 October, the ISW reported that Hezbollah capabilities may have not been as degraded as previously thought, despite the extensive Israeli killing of its commanders and likely reduction in combat effectiveness of some of its forces. The report stated that Hezbollah has kept the bulk of its forces in positions deeper inside Lebanon while only engaging in limited-contact attacks against the IDF at the frontlines, concluding that the group "retains effective command-and-control at least at the tactical level and possibly higher".[433] Writing for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Daniel Byman assessed that Israel had learnt lessons from the 2006 Lebanon War and had a number of intelligence successes prior to the invasion, such as the detonation of pagers used by Hezbollah. However, Byman also noted that Hezbollah had expanded its rocket arsenal since, and benefited from a number of factors such as being able to retreat away from the border and dragging the war out to its benefit.[434] The New Statesman noted that though Israel enjoyed military superiority over Hezbollah, the latter had been able to bounce back from prior military defeats, and could exploit the fact that Israel is unlikely to win the conflict on the battlefield alone.[435]
The ISW reported on 28 October that Hezbollah's military forces in southern Lebanon were disorganized and struggling against the IDF, which have effectively disrupted their operations. It also claimed that despite Hezbollah's attempts to portray itself as a competent military organization, it had failed to execute significant military strategies and lost valuable equipment to the IDF.[436]
According to Karim Emilie Bitar, a professor of international relations at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut, IDF airstrikes outside of south Lebanon are meant to foster civil strife.[437] Israel's methods were met with criticism in Israel, with Israeli media complaining that 50,000 Israeli soldiers had gotten bogged down against Hezbollah, failing to make any gains.[438]
↑ The IDF announced the start of the operation at 2:00 AM local time, following earlier reports of Israeli incursions, which had been denied by the IDF.[1]
↑ The Lebanese government stated they will stay out of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, but would respond to Israeli attacks on their positions.[8]
↑ Although UNIFIL is a peacekeeping force and is not actively engaged in hostilities, its positions have been targeted and its peacekeepers have suffered casualties.[10]
This is a timeline of events related to the 2006 Lebanon War.
The Israeli–Lebanese conflict, or the South Lebanon conflict, is a long-running conflict involving Israel, Lebanon-based paramilitary groups, and sometimes Syria. The conflict peaked during the Lebanese Civil War. In response to Palestinian attacks from Lebanon, Israel invaded the country in 1978 and again in 1982. After this it occupied southern Lebanon until 2000, while fighting a guerrilla conflict against Shia paramilitaries. After Israel's withdrawal, Hezbollah attacks sparked the 2006 Lebanon War. A new period of conflict began in 2023, leading to the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
This is a timeline of the 2006 Lebanon War during early August.
The 2000–2006 Shebaa Farms conflict was a low-level border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah for control of Shebaa Farms, a disputed territory located on the Golan Heights–Lebanon border. Fighting between the two sides primarily consisted of Hezbollah rocket and mortar attacks on Israel and Israeli artillery barrages and airstrikes on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Clashes began a few months after the 2000 Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, which Hezbollah viewed as incomplete due to the presence of the Israel Defense Forces in Shebaa Farms. The conflict culminated in the 2006 Lebanon War; Israel retains control over the territory.
As a response to an Israeli attack against a military convoy comprising Hezbollah and Iranian officers on January 18, 2015, at Quneitra in southern Syria, the Lebanese Hezbollah group launched an ambush on January 28 against an Israeli military convoy in the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms, firing anti-tank missiles against two Israeli Humvees patrolling the border, destroying the two Humvees and killing 2 and wounding 7 Israeli soldiers, according to Israeli military. The number of Israeli casualties was 15 according to a report by Al Mayadeen television station. A Spanish UN peacekeeper was also killed by Israeli fire during consequent fire exchanges in the area, with Israel firing artillery and Hezbollah responding by mortar shells. The conflict ended later the same day after UNIFIL mediation.
Events in the year 2023 in Lebanon.
A 14-month-long conflict between the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israel began on 8 October 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets and artillery at Israeli positions following the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel. The conflict escalated into a prolonged exchange of bombardments, leading to extensive displacement in Israel and Lebanon. The conflict, part of the broader Middle Eastern crisis that began with Hamas' attack, marked the largest escalation of the Hezbollah–Israel conflict since the 2006 Lebanon War.
Events of the year 2024 in Israel.
Events in the year 2024 in Lebanon.
The Middle Eastern crisis is a series of interrelated conflicts and heightened instability in the Middle East which began with the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Israel retaliated by bombing Palestinians in Gaza and invading the territory. Hezbollah joined in solidarity with the Palestinian people. There was also a major escalation of the existing tensions between Israel and Iran. This has resulted in several proxy conflicts breaking out across the Middle East involving both sides, such as Red Sea crisis and the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
This timeline of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict covers the period from 8 October 2023, when Hezbollah launched rocket strikes on Israel in response to the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel, until the beginning of the first ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which lasted from 24 November 2023 to 30 November 2023.
This timeline of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict covers the period from 24 November 2023, when the first ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began, until 1 January 2024, one day prior to the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri.
This timeline of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict covers the period from 2 January 2024, with the Assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, until 31 March 2024, one day prior to the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
This timeline of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict covers the period from 1 April 2024, when Israel struck the Iranian consulate in Damascus, to 26 July 2024, one day before the Majdal Shams attack.
This timeline of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict covers the period from 27 July 2024, when a Hezbollah rocket struck a soccer field in Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, killing 12 children, to 16 September 2024, one day before the explosion of Hezbollah pagers and walkie talkies.
On 23 September 2024, Israel began a series of airstrikes in Lebanon as part of the ongoing Israel–Hezbollah conflict with an operation it code-named Northern Arrows. Since then, Israel's attacks have killed over 800 people, injured more than 5,000, and displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians. The attacks are the deadliest in Lebanon since the end of the Lebanese Civil War, and began five days after Israel performed a deadly pager and walkie-talkie attack on devices intended for Hezbollah members, and three days after Israel performed an airstrike on an apartment complex in Beirut which killed Redwan Force commander Ibrahim Aqil as well as 54 others.
This timeline of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict covers the period from 17 September 2024, when Hezbollah pagers exploded throughout Lebanon and Syria to the present. Beginning 23 September, Israel began its airstrikes in Lebanon, on 27 September, they assassinated Hassan Nasrallah, and on 1 October, they invaded Lebanon.
The 2024 Kafr Kila clashes began in the southern Lebanese village on 1 October 2024, amid the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
↑ Yonah Jeremy Bob (1 October 2024). "IDF division that broke Hamas in Khan Yunis spearheads Lebanon invasion". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. The IDF's invasion of southern Lebanon late Monday night was led by Division 98 and its commander, Brig. Gen. Guy Levi, who also led the commando unit, the Egoz special forces unit, the paratroopers, and Brigade 7 of the Tank Corp.
↑ Avi Ashkenazi (1 October 2024). "לא רק החזרת תושבי הצפון: לישראל יש מטרת על נוספת בתמרון בלבנון"[Not only the return of the residents of the north: Israel has another overarching goal in maneuvering in Lebanon]. www.maariv.co.il (in Hebrew). Maariv. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
1 2 "בערפל כבד וחילוצים תחת אש: 30 מחבלים חוסלו בקרב ההרואי של אגוז, שבו נפלו 6 לוחמים"[In heavy fog and rescues under fire: 30 terrorists were killed in the heroic battle of Egoz, in which 6 fighters fell]. Ynet. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024. The incident this morning (Wednesday), in which six Nut fighters fell , began around 04:30, with an attack launched by Egoz fighters who encountered terrorists in the building. Immediately after the encounter, heavy fire began on the forces from small arms, anti-tank weapons and rocket launchers. The forces began a major evacuation effort of the casualties under heavy fire and the bravery shown by the medical and rescue forces from the ground and the air of Unit 669. Even before the incident, yesterday there were two face-to-face encounters that ended with the elimination of six terrorists by the Egoz fighters without any soldiers being injured, and in total about 50 Hezbollah terrorists were eliminated by the commando fighters since the beginning of the operation on Monday night.
1 2 Gadzo, Mersiha; Uras, Umut (1 October 2024). "Hezbollah confirms rocket attacks on Israel". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. The Lebanese group says it launched a salvo of "Fadi-4" rockets at the Glilot base in Tel Aviv, the headquarters of the Israeli military Intelligence – Unit 8200. A statement on Telegram said the group also carried out an attack on the Mossad headquarters located in the suburbs of Tel Aviv.
↑ Dekker, Stefanie (2 October 2024). "2 Israeli soldier killed, 18 wounded in Hezbollah ambush". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024. Israeli media are now reporting two Israeli soldiers have been killed and 18 others wounded in clashes with Hezbollah fighters this morning on the border with Lebanon near the town of Odaisseh.
↑ Presse, AFP-Agence France. "Lebanon Says Death Toll Tops 2,600 Since Israel Intensified Strikes". www.barrons.com. Health Minister Firass Abiad told AFP on Wednesday more than 2,600 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since Israel launched intense air strikes on Lebanon more than a month ago.
↑ Uras, Umut; Milisic, Alma (20 October 2024). "More on reported Israeli attack that killed Lebanese soldiers". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 20 October 2024. We are receiving updates on the strike that killed three troops in the south of the country, according to the Lebanese army. The military said they were killed on Sunday in an Israeli strike that "targeted" their vehicle. The troops were killed on a road connecting the border village of Ain Ebel to the nearby town of Hanin, the army said.
↑ Motamedi, Maziar; Uras, Umut (25 October 2024). "Ceasefire is Lebanon's priority, says PM Mikati". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 25 October 2024. Lebanon's caretaker PM Mikati says his government's priority is reaching "a ceasefire and deterring the Israeli aggression". In a meeting with Blinken, he said there are more than 1.4 million people who have been displaced from the areas that are being attacked by Israel.
↑ Frenkel, Sheera; Bergman, Ronen; Saad, Hwaida (18 September 2024). "How Israel Built a Modern-Day Trojan Horse: Exploding Pagers". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024. Even before Mr. Nasrallah decided to expand pager usage, Israel had put into motion a plan to establish a shell company that would pose as an international pager producer. By all appearances, B.A.C. Consulting was a Hungary-based company that was under contract to produce the devices on behalf of a Taiwanese company, Gold Apollo. In fact, it was part of an Israeli front, according to three intelligence officers briefed on the operation. They said at least two other shell companies were created as well to mask the real identities of the people creating the pagers: Israeli intelligence officers.
↑ "Israel war on Gaza, Lebanon updates: Iran fires missiles at Israel". Al Jazeera. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024. The Israeli army has issued an "urgent" warning to residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes immediately. It added that residents should immediately head north of the Awali River.
↑ Mccready, Alastair (1 October 2024). "'Heavy fighting': Israeli army issues warning for Litani River area". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. The Israeli army says intense fighting with Hezbollah is taking place in southern Lebanon, spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted on X. He also issued a warning for residents not to move in their vehicles from the northern area to the southern area of the Litani River. In northern Israel, projectiles were fired at the Metula and Avivim areas, the military said, adding some were intercepted while others fell in open areas.
↑ Mccready, Alastair (1 October 2024). "Israeli military bombs home in Lebanese town of al-Dawoudiya, killing 10". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. The Israeli military bombed a home in the southern Lebanese town of Daoudiya, killing at least 10 people and wounding five others, the Lebanese National News Agency reports.
↑ Mccready, Alastair (1 October 2024). "Israeli military says 10 rockets launched from Lebanon". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. Roughly 10 rocket launches were detected crossing from southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said, triggering alerts in the Meron area of northern Israel.
↑ Mccready, Alastair (1 October 2024). "Explosion reported in Tel Aviv area, drone intercepted over sea". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. The Israeli military has also announced it has intercepted a drone over the Mediterranean Sea, dozens of kilometres off the coast of central Israel.
↑ Mccready, Alastair (1 October 2024). "Hezbollah says attacks on Israeli forces continue". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. Not only have they been firing rockets at northern Israel since midnight, they say they have carried out 12 separate attacks against Israeli positions, Israeli forces, and Israeli settlements.
↑ Mccready, Alastair (1 October 2024). "Israeli military announces three rocket launches from Lebanon". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. Israeli defence systems intercepted two rocket launches in the Upper Galilee region after crossing into northern Israel from southern Lebanon, while a third rocket fell into an open area in the Baram region.
↑ Mccready, Alastair (1 October 2024). "Hezbollah fires artillery at Israeli troops in Metula". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. Hezbollah attacked "a movement of enemy soldiers in Metula with artillery shells", it said in a statement. In another, it said it targeted a "gathering of enemy soldiers" in the same area with rockets.
↑ Gadzo, Mersiha; Uras, Umut (1 October 2024). "Israeli army says it intercepted rockets fired from Lebanon". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. The Israeli military says "a number of" rockets that crossed into the territory of Israel from Lebanon have been detected and some of them have been intercepted. The Israeli media reported, quoting medical sources, that a man in his 50s has been moderately wounded in the rocket attack on central Israel.
↑ Adler, Nils (1 October 2024). "Israeli military claim to have killed Hezbollah commander". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. The Israeli military says its air force has killed Hezbollah member Muhammad Jaafar Qasir in Beirut. It says Qasir was the commander of the unit responsible for the transfer of weapons from Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
↑ Mccready, Alastair (1 October 2024). "At least 5 people confirmed death following Israeli attack in Sidon". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024. At least five people are now confirmed dead following the Israeli military strike on the Ein al-Hilweh refugee camp in the coastal city in southern Lebanon. Earlier, we reported that the Israeli air attack hit the home of Munir al-Maqdah, a brigadier general with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in Lebanon – a coalition of Palestinian armed groups aligned with the Fatah movement.
