After the war · From the books
UNIFIL's mandate is renewed and its strength cut to 4,500.
Search the chronologies
all by dates · all chronologieschronologiesallThe road to war 1968–1974The Lebanese war 1975–1990After the war 1991–2005July 2006, as the books tell it 2006Since 2005 2005–2025
187 entries on 119 dates · the books disagree on 50
dates 1–60 of 119 next
January 2001
Tuesday, 30 January 2001
February 2001
February 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
Christian opposition figures form the Qornet Shehwan Gathering.
Patriarch Sfeir informally led this anti-Syrian Christian gathering of the centre-right, whose members ranged from ex-president Amine Gemayel to Samir Frangieh, formerly of the National Movement.
Patriarch Sfeir informally led this anti-Syrian Christian gathering of the centre-right, whose members ranged from ex-president Amine Gemayel to Samir Frangieh, formerly of the National Movement.
Sources differ: February 2001 (Haugbolle) or April 2001 (Picard).
March 2001
March 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
On a US tour, Patriarch Sfeir demands that Syrian forces leave Lebanon.
April 2001
April 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
The 'Memory for the Future' colloquium breaks the silence on the war.
Amal Makarem convened it at the UN building in Beirut: Lebanese journalists, academics and lawyers met transitional-justice specialists from Germany, Rwanda and South Africa. Several organisers later set up the Association Mémoire pour l'Avenir.
Amal Makarem convened it at the UN building in Beirut: Lebanese journalists, academics and lawyers met transitional-justice specialists from Germany, Rwanda and South Africa. Several organisers later set up the Association Mémoire pour l'Avenir.
Sources differ: April 2001 (Haugbolle) or March 2001 (title cited by Reder).
Art and memory
- testimony Haugbolle's notes cite the 111101.net artist page and 111101.com: the artist Naji Zahar, he writes, started a war-memory discussion group in the late 1990s and later created 111101, an award-winning online memory database.
After the war · From the books
Rival demonstrations over Syria revive fears of war around 13 April.
Haugbolle notes that in April 2001 several newspapers wondered whether war could return: they reported ex-militiamen stirring in both East and West Beirut after rival rallies, some against Syria, some for the government.
Haugbolle notes that in April 2001 several newspapers wondered whether war could return: they reported ex-militiamen stirring in both East and West Beirut after rival rallies, some against Syria, some for the government.
May 2001
Thursday, 24 May 2001
After the war · From the books
A national holiday marks one year since the 'liberation' of the south.
Sources differ: Abirached dates the anniversary 24 May; de Clerck and Malsagne date the withdrawal itself to 25 May (see the withdrawal entry).
June 2001
June 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
Syrian troops partly withdraw from Beirut.
In June 2001, a year after Bashar al-Assad took power, some Syrian units moved from Beirut and its eastern suburbs to the north and east, while the bulk of the army stayed. Reported troop numbers: 25,000 after 2000, 21,000 in 2001, 17,000 in 2004.
In June 2001, a year after Bashar al-Assad took power, some Syrian units moved from Beirut and its eastern suburbs to the north and east, while the bulk of the army stayed. Reported troop numbers: 25,000 after 2000, 21,000 in 2001, 17,000 in 2004.
August 2001
Saturday, 4 August 2001
After the war · From the books
Patriarch Sfeir's visit to the Chouf seals a Maronite-Druze reconciliation.
Patriarch Sfeir toured the Chouf and called on Walid Jumblatt, eighteen years after the Mountain war; thousands of villagers applauded. Yet most displaced Christians still did not return.
Patriarch Sfeir toured the Chouf and called on Walid Jumblatt, eighteen years after the Mountain war; thousands of villagers applauded. Yet most displaced Christians still did not return.
August 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
Hundreds of Lebanese Forces and Aoun supporters are arrested.
Reacting to the Maronite–Druze reconciliation, the security services detained anti-Syrian activists for allegedly plotting against the state, and plainclothes police forcibly broke up a protest outside Beirut's Palace of Justice. The cabinet and parliament approved the crackdown.
Reacting to the Maronite–Druze reconciliation, the security services detained anti-Syrian activists for allegedly plotting against the state, and plainclothes police forcibly broke up a protest outside Beirut's Palace of Justice. The cabinet and parliament approved the crackdown.
Sources differ: Hundreds (Picard) or 200 (Quéméner).
October 2001
Monday, 22 October 2001
After the war · From the books
After Hezbollah strikes Israeli posts at Shebaa, Israel hits back with raids in the south.
2001
late 2001 (after 11 September): day not established
After the war · From the books
The United States lists Hezbollah as a terrorist group; Beirut refuses to act.
Washington asked Lebanon to freeze Hezbollah's assets and disarm it; the government refused, citing the unfinished Israeli withdrawal.
Washington asked Lebanon to freeze Hezbollah's assets and disarm it; the government refused, citing the unfinished Israeli withdrawal.
January 2002
January 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Elie Hobeika is killed by a car bomb near Beirut.
The former Lebanese Forces intelligence chief, widely held responsible for Sabra and Shatila and a minister after the war, died shortly before he was to testify in the Belgian case against Ariel Sharon.
The former Lebanese Forces intelligence chief, widely held responsible for Sabra and Shatila and a minister after the war, died shortly before he was to testify in the Belgian case against Ariel Sharon.
February 2002
Thursday, 14 February 2002
After the war · From the books range
Assaad Shaftari's war confessions appear in al-Hayat.
In three interviews with Hazim al-Amin, Hobeika's former aide described his militia years, including orders to execute captives, and called for the truth to be told so that the next generation might forgive.
In three interviews with Hazim al-Amin, Hobeika's former aide described his militia years, including orders to execute captives, and called for the truth to be told so that the next generation might forgive.
March 2002
Sunday, 31 March 2002
After the war · From the books
Israel threatens to strike Syria over its support for Hezbollah.
On 14 April, two weeks after that threat, Ariel Sharon charged Syria and Iran with supporting Hezbollah's attacks.
On 14 April, two weeks after that threat, Ariel Sharon charged Syria and Iran with supporting Hezbollah's attacks.
April 2002
Wednesday, 3 April 2002
After the war · From the books
The government announces Syrian troop withdrawals from parts of Mount Lebanon.
The move was presented as an application of the Taif Agreement.
The move was presented as an application of the Taif Agreement.
Friday, 12 April 2002
After the war · From the books
Iran's foreign minister urges Hezbollah not to provoke a war.
May 2002
Saturday, 25 May 2002
After the war · From the books
On Liberation Day Nasrallah declares Hezbollah's support for the Palestinian intifada.
August 2002
August 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Sharon calls a Lebanese water pump on the Wazzani a cause for war.
A war over the Council of the South's plan to supply some fifty villages from the Wazzani, a Hasbani tributary, was averted by American, Russian and European mediation.
A war over the Council of the South's plan to supply some fifty villages from the Wazzani, a Hasbani tributary, was averted by American, Russian and European mediation.
November 2002
November 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Before-and-after photographs of downtown go on show in Place de l'Étoile.
Haugbolle calls the book version, 'Beirut's Memory', propaganda: a Solidere-linked bank published it in the name of Hariri's photographer Ayman Traoui. On site, paired 1990 and 2002 views ringed the clock tower.
Haugbolle calls the book version, 'Beirut's Memory', propaganda: a Solidere-linked bank published it in the name of Hariri's photographer Ayman Traoui. On site, paired 1990 and 2002 views ringed the clock tower.
December 2002
December 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Rustom Ghazaleh replaces Ghazi Kanaan as Syria's intelligence chief in Lebanon.
Kanaan had ruled from Anjar since 1982, vetting candidates and shaping the 2000 electoral map; his recall signalled Bashar al-Assad's tighter grip on Lebanon. Ghazaleh, his replacement, was implicated in Al-Madina bank's 2003 collapse.
Kanaan had ruled from Anjar since 1982, vetting candidates and shaping the 2000 electoral map; his recall signalled Bashar al-Assad's tighter grip on Lebanon. Ghazaleh, his replacement, was implicated in Al-Madina bank's 2003 collapse.
Sources differ: Farewell ceremony 9 October 2002 versus replacement in December 2002.
2002
summer 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Much of rebuilt downtown Beirut is inaugurated as 'Beirut reborn'.
Posters ('Le Liban vit'), full-page press advertisements and television spots hailed the completion, with no reference to the war.
Posters ('Le Liban vit'), full-page press advertisements and television spots hailed the completion, with no reference to the war.
January 2004
Saturday, 31 January 2004
After the war · From the books
Lebanese prisoners freed from Israeli jails return in a Hezbollah exchange.
Hezbollah ran the welcome alone and barred leftist parties, though thirty of the fifty men who came home were leftists; the left replied by recalling its role in the resistance from 1982.
Hezbollah ran the welcome alone and barred leftist parties, though thirty of the fifty men who came home were leftists; the left replied by recalling its role in the resistance from 1982.
February 2004
Friday, 6 February 2004
After the war · From the books
Reformist communists announce a 'Democratic Left' movement.
Its founding al-Nahar statement urged the left to reform and unite against the Syrian-backed order, calling it a duty to learn from past mistakes. Members included Elias Khoury, Samir Kassir, Ziad Majed, George Hawi and Elias Atallah.
Its founding al-Nahar statement urged the left to reform and unite against the Syrian-backed order, calling it a duty to learn from past mistakes. Members included Elias Khoury, Samir Kassir, Ziad Majed, George Hawi and Elias Atallah.
March 2004
Wednesday, 10 March 2004
After the war · From the books
Student demonstrations against the Syrian presence are suppressed.
Monday, 22 March 2004
After the war · From the books
Hezbollah attacks six Israeli positions after the killing of Sheikh Yassin.
April 2004
Friday, 16 April 2004
After the war · From the books
A press campaign reveals how little the young know of the war.
Al-Nahar marked the April 2004 anniversary with interviews of ex-militiamen and a feature on the young: most said they knew only bits of the war, and that parents blamed 'the others'.
Al-Nahar marked the April 2004 anniversary with interviews of ex-militiamen and a feature on the young: most said they knew only bits of the war, and that parents blamed 'the others'.
August 2004
Thursday, 26 August 2004
After the war · From the books
Hariri is called to Damascus, where Bashar al-Assad insists that Lahoud's term be extended.
Hariri had come to plead against prolonging Lahoud's term. Walid Jumblatt, interviewed by Nicholas Blanford in 2005, related that Assad told Hariri that Lahoud and Assad were one and the same.
Hariri had come to plead against prolonging Lahoud's term. Walid Jumblatt, interviewed by Nicholas Blanford in 2005, related that Assad told Hariri that Lahoud and Assad were one and the same.
September 2004
Thursday, 2 September 2004
After the war · From the books
UN Security Council Resolution 1559 demands the withdrawal of foreign forces.
The Franco-American resolution, passed by nine votes with six abstentions, required every foreign force to leave, every militia to disarm and the presidential election to proceed free of outside interference. Walid Jumblatt sided with the opposition, most of it Christian.
The Franco-American resolution, passed by nine votes with six abstentions, required every foreign force to leave, every militia to disarm and the presidential election to proceed free of outside interference. Walid Jumblatt sided with the opposition, most of it Christian.
Friday, 3 September 2004
After the war · From the books
Parliament extends President Lahoud's term by three years.
Under Syrian pressure the constitutional amendment passed by 96 votes to 29; Jumblatt's deputies voted against.
Under Syrian pressure the constitutional amendment passed by 96 votes to 29; Jumblatt's deputies voted against.
Saturday, 4 September 2004
After the war · From the books
Hassan Nasrallah rejects Resolution 1559.
Tuesday, 7 September 2004
After the war · From the books
Four ministers, including Marwan Hamadeh, resign in protest.
Sources differ: Hamadeh is called economy minister (Abirached) or health minister (Khayat).
Thursday, 9 September 2004
After the war · From the books
Hariri announces that his government will resign.
September 2004: day not established
After the war · From the books
Riots shake Majdel Anjar after the arrest of an Islamist leader.
Rioting broke out in the Sunni Bekaa town the day after a presumed al-Qaeda-linked Islamist leader was detained in Beirut.
Rioting broke out in the Sunni Bekaa town the day after a presumed al-Qaeda-linked Islamist leader was detained in Beirut.
October 2004
Friday, 1 October 2004
After the war · From the books
Marwan Hamadeh survives a car bomb.
The car bomb that wounded Marwan Hamadeh, a Jumblatt adviser who had resigned from the cabinet, opened a series of attacks on opponents of Syria (Picard); the Special Tribunal for Lebanon later took on his case as legally linked to Hariri's. Kofi Annan's report on Resolution 1559 came out that day.
The car bomb that wounded Marwan Hamadeh, a Jumblatt adviser who had resigned from the cabinet, opened a series of attacks on opponents of Syria (Picard); the Special Tribunal for Lebanon later took on his case as legally linked to Hariri's. Kofi Annan's report on Resolution 1559 came out that day.
Sources differ: Picard (2016) places the attack 'a few days' after 3 September; the others give 1 October.
Sunday, 3 October 2004
After the war · From the books
Hariri hands his resignation to Lahoud.
Hariri took the 1 October attack that wounded Marwan Hamadeh as a breach of the assurances he had been given, and resigned two days later. Lahoud waited more than two weeks before accepting.
Hariri took the 1 October attack that wounded Marwan Hamadeh as a breach of the assurances he had been given, and resigned two days later. Lahoud waited more than two weeks before accepting.
Sources differ: See 20 October: Abirached dates the resignation then.
Tuesday, 5 October 2004
After the war · From the books
Lebanon rejects the UN report criticising the Syrian presence.
Saturday, 9 October 2004
After the war · From the books
Bashar al-Assad derides the charge that Syria invaded Lebanon in 1976.
Assad asked Lebanon's Christians, and Resolution 1559's sponsors, the US and France, where they were when Lebanese were massacred. Haugbolle reads him as calling the war internal and Syria its rescuer.
Assad asked Lebanon's Christians, and Resolution 1559's sponsors, the US and France, where they were when Lebanese were massacred. Haugbolle reads him as calling the war internal and Syria its rescuer.
Sunday, 17 October 2004
After the war · From the books
The Democratic Left Movement is formally founded.
By December it had joined Christian and Druze parties in signing the Bristol Declaration.
By December it had joined Christian and Druze parties in signing the Bristol Declaration.
Sources differ: Picard dates a 'Gauche démocratique' to 1997, possibly an earlier group or a slip.
Wednesday, 20 October 2004
After the war · From the books
Rafiq Hariri's resignation takes effect.
He then moved openly towards the anti-Syrian opposition.
He then moved openly towards the anti-Syrian opposition.
Sources differ: Presented 3 October (Khayat), effective 20 October (Abirached).
Thursday, 21 October 2004
After the war · From the books
Omar Karami is asked to form a pro-Syrian government.
In protest at Lahoud's extended term, one deputy in four stayed away from the consultations.
In protest at Lahoud's extended term, one deputy in four stayed away from the consultations.
December 2004
Wednesday, 1 December 2004
After the war · From the books
Thousands demonstrate in Beirut for the Syrian presence and against 1559.
Sources differ: The book chronology extracted to JSON reads this as 'December' only; the PDF shows 1 December.
Wednesday, 15 December 2004
After the war · From the books
The opposition unites in the Bristol Declaration.
The Bristol Hotel declaration of Christian and Druze parties, Hariri loyalists and leftists demanded independence and democracy, accepted a Lebanese share in the war, and blamed the postwar crisis on a corrupt state ruling by fear.
The Bristol Hotel declaration of Christian and Druze parties, Hariri loyalists and leftists demanded independence and democracy, accepted a Lebanese share in the war, and blamed the postwar crisis on a corrupt state ruling by fear.
Sources differ: 15 December (Haugbolle's text) or 12 December (his own note): the declaration may have been published before the formal meeting, or one date is a slip.
December 2004: day not established
After the war · From the books
Students, women's groups and lawyers take to the streets.
Civic protest against Syrian tutelage grew, and reprisals followed.
Civic protest against Syrian tutelage grew, and reprisals followed.
2004
2004: day not established
After the war · From the books
The bullet-scarred Martyrs' statue returns to downtown Beirut.
Issam Khairallah, who restored the statue at Kaslik's Holy Spirit University, kept almost half its bullet and shrapnel marks and left the young man's arm missing. It was put back about a hundred metres north, nearer the sea.
Issam Khairallah, who restored the statue at Kaslik's Holy Spirit University, kept almost half its bullet and shrapnel marks and left the young man's arm missing. It was put back about a hundred metres north, nearer the sea.
After the war · From the books
UMAM Documentation and Research starts collecting the war's archives.
Founded by Lokman Slim and Monika Borgmann in Haret Hreik, it built an archive of war memories; their film 'Massaker', interviewing six men who took part in Sabra and Shatila, was shot between 2001 and 2004.
Founded by Lokman Slim and Monika Borgmann in Haret Hreik, it built an archive of war memories; their film 'Massaker', interviewing six men who took part in Sabra and Shatila, was shot between 2001 and 2004.
Sources differ: Founded 2004 (Ismail-Allouche) or active since 2002 (Haugbolle).
January 2006
Wednesday, 11 January 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
Serge Brammertz replaces Detlev Mehlis as head of the UN Hariri inquiry.
The Belgian prosecutor took charge of the international inquiry into Rafic Hariri's assassination, as Kofi Annan had requested.
The Belgian prosecutor took charge of the international inquiry into Rafic Hariri's assassination, as Kofi Annan had requested.
Tuesday, 17 January 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
Thousands protest at the US embassy against American interference.
The demonstration in front of the US embassy was peaceful.
The demonstration in front of the US embassy was peaceful.
February 2006
Thursday, 2 February 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
The Shiite ministers return to the cabinet.
Their boycott, begun after Tueni's assassination, ended after some seven weeks.
Their boycott, begun after Tueni's assassination, ended after some seven weeks.
Sources differ: Abirached's dates imply a boycott of about seven weeks; Picard's chapter speaks of several months.
Sunday, 5 February 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
Protesters attack the Danish consulate in Achrafieh.
Cars, shops and building entrances in Achrafieh, a Christian district, were wrecked when hundreds of protesters, furious at the Danish cartoons of the Prophet, tried to storm Denmark's consulate there. For Picard, the protests revived Christian fears of an 'Islamist' threat.
Cars, shops and building entrances in Achrafieh, a Christian district, were wrecked when hundreds of protesters, furious at the Danish cartoons of the Prophet, tried to storm Denmark's consulate there. For Picard, the protests revived Christian fears of an 'Islamist' threat.
Monday, 6 February 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
Michel Aoun and Hassan Nasrallah sign their memorandum of understanding.
At the church of Mar Mikhael, on the old Chiyah–Ain al-Rummaneh demarcation line, Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah signed a memorandum of understanding covering the electoral law, Hezbollah's weapons and relations with Syria. The alliance lasted until the 2020 crisis.
At the church of Mar Mikhael, on the old Chiyah–Ain al-Rummaneh demarcation line, Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah signed a memorandum of understanding covering the electoral law, Hezbollah's weapons and relations with Syria. The alliance lasted until the 2020 crisis.
Sources differ: 6 February in three sources against 5 February in the introduction to 33 jours. The church is placed 'in the southern suburb' by de Clerck & Malsagne and 'on the old demarcation line' by Mermier & Picard.
Tuesday, 14 February 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
Hundreds of thousands mark the first anniversary of Hariri's death.
On Martyrs' Square, Saad Hariri spoke of national unity.
On Martyrs' Square, Saad Hariri spoke of national unity.
March 2006
Thursday, 2 March 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
The National Dialogue among community leaders opens.
Community leaders, some former warlords, opened a National Dialogue on Syria, militia disarmament and President Lahoud's fate.
Community leaders, some former warlords, opened a National Dialogue on Syria, militia disarmament and President Lahoud's fate.
Tuesday, 14 March 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
The National Dialogue agrees on three points.
The accord left Hezbollah's arms and the Israeli border aside, but the leaders agreed that Lebanon would deal with Syria as an equal, accept no armed Palestinian presence and regard the Shebaa Farms as Lebanese.
The accord left Hezbollah's arms and the Israeli border aside, but the leaders agreed that Lebanon would deal with Syria as an equal, accept no armed Palestinian presence and regard the Shebaa Farms as Lebanese.
Wednesday, 29 March 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
UN Resolution 1664.
Part of the series of resolutions leading to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
Part of the series of resolutions leading to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
April 2006
Monday, 10 April 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
Security services announce arrests over a plot against Hassan Nasrallah.
Lebanese security services said they had arrested nine people, eight Lebanese and one Palestinian, over a plot against Hassan Nasrallah.
Lebanese security services said they had arrested nine people, eight Lebanese and one Palestinian, over a plot against Hassan Nasrallah.
May 2006
Wednesday, 17 May 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
UN Resolution 1680 urges Syria to delimit the border and open diplomatic relations.
Syria was strongly urged to open full diplomatic ties with Lebanon and delimit the border, chiefly where it was unclear or contested.
Syria was strongly urged to open full diplomatic ties with Lebanon and delimit the border, chiefly where it was unclear or contested.
Sources differ: Picard's chapter in 33 jours (p. 84) dates 1680 to 2005, evidently a slip.
Sunday, 28 May 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
Rockets on northern Israel bring the heaviest Israeli strikes since 2000.
Rockets fired at an air base near Safad, in northern Israel, brought Israel's most violent response since its 2000 withdrawal: aircraft struck the Aita al-Shaab area and hillsides by Khiam and Chakra in the border zone.
Rockets fired at an air base near Safad, in northern Israel, brought Israel's most violent response since its 2000 withdrawal: aircraft struck the Aita al-Shaab area and hillsides by Khiam and Chakra in the border zone.
Sources differ: Abirached attributes the rockets to Hezbollah; Khayat says nobody claimed them.
May 2006: day not established
Since 2005 · From the books
Syrian and Lebanese intellectuals sign the Beirut-Damascus Declaration.
In May 2006 several hundred Lebanese and Syrians signed Michel Kilo's declaration calling for mutual respect of sovereignty, border demarcation, diplomatic relations and democracy in both states; Syria then harassed and arrested signatories, Kilo above all.
In May 2006 several hundred Lebanese and Syrians signed Michel Kilo's declaration calling for mutual respect of sovereignty, border demarcation, diplomatic relations and democracy in both states; Syria then harassed and arrested signatories, Kilo above all.
June 2006
June 2006: day not established
Since 2005 · From the books
A television parody of Nasrallah sets off a night of riots.
Hezbollah supporters rioted, reaching Beirut's tourist districts, after a Christian TV channel aired a parody of Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah supporters rioted, reaching Beirut's tourist districts, after a Christian TV channel aired a parody of Hassan Nasrallah.
July 2006
Monday, 10 July 2006
Since 2005 · From the books
Metropolis art cinema opens in Hamra.
Hamra, where most of the pre-war cinemas still stood disused, gained an art-house cinema, Metropolis, inside the Theatre de la Ville on 10 July, two days before the war began.
Hamra, where most of the pre-war cinemas still stood disused, gained an art-house cinema, Metropolis, inside the Theatre de la Ville on 10 July, two days before the war began.
Wednesday, 12 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Hezbollah captures two Israeli soldiers at the border near Zar'it.
Shortly after 9 a.m. a Hezbollah unit ambushed two Israeli army Humvees patrolling the border fence near Zar'it, opposite Ayta al-Shaab, killing three soldiers and taking two wounded reservists, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, into Lebanon under cover of a rocket and mortar barrage. Five more Israeli soldiers died that day, four in a tank blown up during a pursuit across the border and one by mortar fire, bringing the army's dead to eight. Hezbollah announced that it would exchange the captives for prisoners held in Israel.
Shortly after 9 a.m. a Hezbollah unit ambushed two Israeli army Humvees patrolling the border fence near Zar'it, opposite Ayta al-Shaab, killing three soldiers and taking two wounded reservists, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, into Lebanon under cover of a rocket and mortar barrage. Five more Israeli soldiers died that day, four in a tank blown up during a pursuit across the border and one by mortar fire, bringing the army's dead to eight. Hezbollah announced that it would exchange the captives for prisoners held in Israel.
Sources differ: Time: 34 Days (Israeli reconstruction) puts the attack shortly after 9:00; Abirached quotes Hezbollah's statement giving 'around 9:05'; 34 Days dates Al-Manar's announcement to 10:15.
Reports at the time: The archive's first report of the capture comes at 10:40 (Al-Manar via AFP), 25 minutes after the time 34 Days gives for Al-Manar's announcement. The toll of eight soldiers appears only at 22:30, after reports of three (17:10) and four in a tank (18:05). Archive times are wire-feed publication times, not event times.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
First Israeli raids on the South and the coastal bridges.
Israel's 'Just Reward' offensive opened with roughly forty air strikes in the South; its bombing there and in Beirut caused serious damage to infrastructure.
Israel's 'Just Reward' offensive opened with roughly forty air strikes in the South; its bombing there and in Beirut caused serious damage to infrastructure.
Sources differ: Dieckhoff (pdf:192) dates the bombing of bridges and roads across the country from the next day, 13 July.
Reports at the time: The archive records two civilians killed near Ayta al-Shaab at 12:25 on 12 July, strikes on the Zahrani bridge from 17:45 and on Saida's Awali bridge at 22:30.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Israel's cabinet votes for war; airport and Damascus road approved as targets.
'The Seven', Olmert and six senior ministers, approved strikes that night on Hezbollah's Fajr launchers hidden in homes and limited raids on Beirut airport's runways and the Beirut-Damascus highway, after the full cabinet voted unanimously for a forceful response. Harel and Issacharoff rely on Israeli participants and meeting records.
'The Seven', Olmert and six senior ministers, approved strikes that night on Hezbollah's Fajr launchers hidden in homes and limited raids on Beirut airport's runways and the Beirut-Damascus highway, after the full cabinet voted unanimously for a forceful response. Harel and Issacharoff rely on Israeli participants and meeting records.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Siniora's government says it knew nothing of the operation.
After the afternoon cabinet, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi declared that the government had not known of the operation and was not responsible; March 14 leaders, among them former president Amine Gemayel, publicly attacked Hezbollah. Earlier Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had angrily asked Nasrallah's adviser what Hezbollah had done.
After the afternoon cabinet, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi declared that the government had not known of the operation and was not responsible; March 14 leaders, among them former president Amine Gemayel, publicly attacked Hezbollah. Earlier Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had angrily asked Nasrallah's adviser what Hezbollah had done.
Reports at the time: The archive reports only that Lebanon, through Ghazi Aridi, asked for an urgent Security Council meeting on 'the Israeli aggression' (20:35); the government's disclaimer does not appear in it.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Nasrallah: the soldiers will be returned only through an exchange.
Hassan Nasrallah told a Beirut press conference that the raid had been five months in preparation and that Israel's new leaders should expect surprises if they sought confrontation; the two soldiers were far away and would come back only through an indirect prisoner exchange.
Hassan Nasrallah told a Beirut press conference that the raid had been five months in preparation and that Israel's new leaders should expect surprises if they sought confrontation; the two soldiers were far away and would come back only through an indirect prisoner exchange.
Reports at the time: The archive carries the statement at 18:50, nearly two hours after the 5 p.m. given by 34 Days.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Olmert holds the Lebanese state responsible and promises a 'thundering' response.
At a press conference beside Japan's prime minister, Ehud Olmert called the attack the act of a sovereign state and warned that Lebanon, with Hezbollah in its government, would pay. Abirached has chief of staff Dan Halutz vowing to 'set Lebanon back fifty years'.
At a press conference beside Japan's prime minister, Ehud Olmert called the attack the act of a sovereign state and warned that Lebanon, with Hezbollah in its government, would pay. Abirached has chief of staff Dan Halutz vowing to 'set Lebanon back fifty years'.
Reports at the time: The archive reports Olmert calling the attack an 'act of war' from 13:30, consistent with the 12:50 press conference; it does not report Halutz's 'fifty years' remark.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
A Gaza solidarity sit-in turns into the Samidoun relief campaign.
Samidoun ('those who hold fast') began as a mixed coalition of environmental, gay and lesbian, artistic, far-left and student groups that had planned a sit-in and cultural festival for Gaza on the very day the Israeli offensive began. Based at Zico House, it quickly turned to relief work and drew up to three hundred volunteers a day.
Samidoun ('those who hold fast') began as a mixed coalition of environmental, gay and lesbian, artistic, far-left and student groups that had planned a sit-in and cultural festival for Gaza on the very day the Israeli offensive began. Based at Zico House, it quickly turned to relief work and drew up to three hundred volunteers a day.
Reports at the time: The archive does not mention Samidoun.
Since 2005 · From the books
Hezbollah captures two Israeli soldiers; Israel launches a war on Lebanon.
Hezbollah fighters attacked an Israeli patrol across the border on the morning of 12 July and took two soldiers, whom the party offered to trade for Arab prisoners. Dozens of Israeli air raids on the South followed; strikes on the airport, bridges and roads and an air and sea blockade came next. The war's day-by-day record is in 111101's July 2006 archive (/facts/history/july2006/).
Hezbollah fighters attacked an Israeli patrol across the border on the morning of 12 July and took two soldiers, whom the party offered to trade for Arab prisoners. Dozens of Israeli air raids on the South followed; strikes on the airport, bridges and roads and an air and sea blockade came next. The war's day-by-day record is in 111101's July 2006 archive (/facts/history/july2006/).
Sources differ: Abirached quotes Hezbollah's announcement of the capture 'around 9.05'; Harel & Issacharoff place the burnt-out vehicles and the start of the search at about 9.45 a.m. These are different moments, not necessarily a conflict.
\_this day in full (July 2006, as the books tell it) \_this day in full (Since 2005) \_on this day
Thursday, 13 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Beirut airport, twenty-one bridges and the Damascus road are bombed.
Israel bombed Beirut airport's runways, some twenty-one bridges and the Beirut–Damascus highway, cutting air traffic and the main roads to Syria. Visitors, many from the Gulf, were stuck; Western states evacuated their citizens, dual nationals included, by sea.
Israel bombed Beirut airport's runways, some twenty-one bridges and the Beirut–Damascus highway, cutting air traffic and the main roads to Syria. Visitors, many from the Gulf, were stuck; Western states evacuated their citizens, dual nationals included, by sea.
Sources differ: 34 Days puts the runway strike on the night of 12 July; Abirached and Dieckhoff date the strikes to 13 July.
Reports at the time: The archive's first report of the runways being hit is 06:30 on 13 July, after the Damour bridge (00:50); helicopters struck the airport's fuel tanks again in the evening.
The reports of that day, as they came in
Other date in the books: Wednesday, 12 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Israel imposes an air and sea blockade on Lebanon.
Israel closed Lebanon's air space and coast. The blockade stayed in force until 7 September, over three weeks past the ceasefire, and hindered the export of books and newspapers printed in Lebanon.
Israel closed Lebanon's air space and coast. The blockade stayed in force until 7 September, over three weeks past the ceasefire, and hindered the export of books and newspapers printed in Lebanon.
Sources differ: Start date: 13 July (Abirached; Dieckhoff 'from the next day'), 12 July (Mermier).
Reports at the time: The archive reports a 'general blockade' at 10:05 on 13 July, supporting Abirached's date.
The reports of that day, as they came in
Other date in the books: Friday, 14 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
'Night of the Fajrs': rocket launchers hidden in homes are bombed; the Akash family is killed.
About twenty civilians died, Harel and Issacharoff report, among them a Shiite cleric, his wife and their eight children near Nabatieh, when Israeli aircraft destroyed 59 fixed medium-range rocket launchers hidden in southern homes, all within 34 minutes before dawn.
About twenty civilians died, Harel and Issacharoff report, among them a Shiite cleric, his wife and their eight children near Nabatieh, when Israeli aircraft destroyed 59 fixed medium-range rocket launchers hidden in southern homes, all within 34 minutes before dawn.
Reports at the time: The archive reports the killing of the cleric Adel Akkache, his wife and eight children at 06:40, matching the book.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
The first displaced leave the South and the southern suburb; 'civil resistance' begins.
Displacement began on the second day of the Israeli campaign, first to relatives in districts thought safer, and grew to 900,000–1,000,000 people, nearly a quarter of the population. A Beirut blogger reported bare supermarket shelves, petrol queues and hours of waiting at the Syrian border. Relief initiatives labelled 'civil resistance' multiplied from 13 July.
Displacement began on the second day of the Israeli campaign, first to relatives in districts thought safer, and grew to 900,000–1,000,000 people, nearly a quarter of the population. A Beirut blogger reported bare supermarket shelves, petrol queues and hours of waiting at the Syrian border. Relief initiatives labelled 'civil resistance' multiplied from 13 July.
The reports of that day, as they came in
Art and memory
- testimony 34 Days quotes throughout a Beirut blog, 'Anecdotes from a Banana Republic' (signed EDB, called 'Emily'), as its main Lebanese civilian voice.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books range
The Jiyeh power station's fuel tanks are bombed; an oil slick spreads along the coast.
Some 150 km of coast, up to the Syrian border, was fouled after Israeli strikes on 13 and 15 July hit the fuel tanks of the Jiyeh power station, 25 km south of Beirut. Thousands of tonnes of fuel oil burned or ran into the sea; fishing was devastated, and the ongoing war delayed the clean-up.
Some 150 km of coast, up to the Syrian border, was fouled after Israeli strikes on 13 and 15 July hit the fuel tanks of the Jiyeh power station, 25 km south of Beirut. Thousands of tonnes of fuel oil burned or ran into the sea; fishing was devastated, and the ongoing war delayed the clean-up.
Sources differ: Verdeil puts the spill at 10,000-15,000 tonnes; Bustos gives the full contents of the depot, 35,000 tonnes, some of which burned and some spilled. The two figures measure different things.
Reports at the time: No archive report for 13-15 July mentions Jiyeh; the fires and the slick first appear on 26 July, and the strike notes put Jiyeh under 16 July.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Hezbollah rockets kill two civilians in Nahariya and Safed.
Hezbollah answered with Katyusha barrages on northern Israel, nearly 125 rockets that day, killing two civilians, in Nahariya and Safed, and wounding 69.
Hezbollah answered with Katyusha barrages on northern Israel, nearly 125 rockets that day, killing two civilians, in Nahariya and Safed, and wounding 69.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Saudi Arabia condemns Hezbollah's 'adventurism'.
Riyadh on 13 July blamed the capture on Hezbollah's 'irresponsible adventurism' yet still endorsed 'legitimate resistance'. Hezbollah had not expected it: no Arab government had openly condemned such an action before.
Riyadh on 13 July blamed the capture on Hezbollah's 'irresponsible adventurism' yet still endorsed 'legitimate resistance'. Hezbollah had not expected it: no Arab government had openly condemned such an action before.
Sources differ: Night of 12 July (34 Days) against 13 July (Ayad and Donati).
Reports at the time: The archive reports the Saudi statement only at 05:20 on 14 July, a day later than either book.
The reports of that day, as they came in
Other date in the books: Wednesday, 12 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
First Israeli raids on Beirut's southern suburb.
Israeli aircraft struck the southern suburb of Beirut, Hezbollah's stronghold, for the first time.
Israeli aircraft struck the southern suburb of Beirut, Hezbollah's stronghold, for the first time.
Sources differ: 34 Days puts the start of the bombing of Dahiyeh on the evening of 14 July (see 2006-07-14-haret-hreik).
Reports at the time: The archive backs Abirached: it cites Hezbollah reporting a strike on its southern-suburb stronghold at 08:30 on 13 July.
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