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
34 entries on 33 dates · the books disagree on 7
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.
July 2024
Tuesday, 30 July 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Israel kills a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut.
The strike, the first escalation, killed many bystanders, children among them.
The strike, the first escalation, killed many bystanders, children among them.
September 2024
Tuesday, 3 September 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Former central bank governor Riad Salameh is arrested.
The former central bank governor, accused of a key role in the financial crisis, was arrested; the arrest divided defenders acting from communal loyalty and citizens seeking their rights.
The former central bank governor, accused of a key role in the financial crisis, was arrested; the arrest divided defenders acting from communal loyalty and citizens seeking their rights.
Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Since 2005 · From the books range
Hezbollah's pagers and walkie-talkies explode across Lebanon (17-18 September).
Pagers and walkie-talkies carried by Hezbollah members were detonated simultaneously by remote control, killing and wounding many, numerous civilians among them. Other Lebanese went blind too, because an international embargo on corneal grafts followed and blocked urgent transplants.
Pagers and walkie-talkies carried by Hezbollah members were detonated simultaneously by remote control, killing and wounding many, numerous civilians among them. Other Lebanese went blind too, because an international embargo on corneal grafts followed and blocked urgent transplants.
Sources differ: Chronology (p. 579): at least 11 dead, 4,000 wounded; introduction (p. 26): 37 dead, several thousand wounded. The lower toll may cover only the first day.
Monday, 23 September 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Israel launches operation 'Northern Arrows': 558 killed in one day.
Israel's 'Northern Arrows' began with strikes on the South, the Bekaa and Beirut's southern suburb; 558 died on 23 September, Lebanon's deadliest day in recent history.
Israel's 'Northern Arrows' began with strikes on the South, the Bekaa and Beirut's southern suburb; 558 died on 23 September, Lebanon's deadliest day in recent history.
Friday, 27 September 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Hassan Nasrallah is killed in massive Israeli strikes on the southern suburb.
Bunker-buster raids on Beirut's southern suburb killed Hassan Nasrallah and much of Hezbollah's command. De Clerck and Malsagne say Netanyahu gave the order in New York while France's Emmanuel Macron was pressing for a truce.
Bunker-buster raids on Beirut's southern suburb killed Hassan Nasrallah and much of Hezbollah's command. De Clerck and Malsagne say Netanyahu gave the order in New York while France's Emmanuel Macron was pressing for a truce.
Sources differ: The introduction (p. 27) speaks of '85,000 tonnes' of bunker busters, which is hard to credit; a smaller figure or a different unit may have been intended.
Monday, 30 September 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Israel invades South Lebanon by land.
This was the fourth Israeli ground invasion, after 1978, 1982 and 2006.
This was the fourth Israeli ground invasion, after 1978, 1982 and 2006.
September-November 2024: day not established
Since 2005 · From the books
Bombing damages Lebanon's heritage: Baalbek, Tyre, Nabatieh.
Israeli strikes razed whole villages in the South and Bekaa and damaged or destroyed heritage sites. Among those de Clerck and Malsagne describe as UNESCO-listed are Baalbek's Roman temple, Tyre's Roman remains and hippodrome, the temple of Douris, Tebnine's crusader fort and the Chamaa shrine; other landmarks hit include the Ottoman Manshiyya house in Baalbek, Nabatieh's old souk and the Palmyra Hotel.
Israeli strikes razed whole villages in the South and Bekaa and damaged or destroyed heritage sites. Among those de Clerck and Malsagne describe as UNESCO-listed are Baalbek's Roman temple, Tyre's Roman remains and hippodrome, the temple of Douris, Tebnine's crusader fort and the Chamaa shrine; other landmarks hit include the Ottoman Manshiyya house in Baalbek, Nabatieh's old souk and the Palmyra Hotel.
Art and memory
- place De Clerck and Malsagne list sites of Lebanon's long past damaged or destroyed in 2024, among them Baalbek's Roman temple and Palmyra Hotel, Tyre's hippodrome, Tebnine fort and Nabatieh's old souk.
October 2024
Tuesday, 1 October 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Iran fires some 200 missiles at Israel after Nasrallah's killing.
Iran's strike answered the killings of Hassan Nasrallah and of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the latter in Tehran on 31 July. Israel bombed Iran on 26 October, leaving Lebanon caught between the two.
Iran's strike answered the killings of Hassan Nasrallah and of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the latter in Tehran on 31 July. Israel bombed Iran on 26 October, leaving Lebanon caught between the two.
Thursday, 3 October 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Hashem Safieddine, expected to succeed Nasrallah, is killed.
Hashem Safieddine had been expected to succeed Hassan Nasrallah at the head of Hezbollah.
Hashem Safieddine had been expected to succeed Hassan Nasrallah at the head of Hezbollah.
Tuesday, 8 October 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Netanyahu calls on the Lebanese to rise against Hezbollah.
He warned that Lebanon would suffer Gaza's fate if they did nothing.
He warned that Lebanon would suffer Gaza's fate if they did nothing.
Thursday, 24 October 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Paris conference pledges aid to Lebanon.
The World Bank put the damage at $8.5 billion in November; the donors had pledged $800 million of humanitarian aid and $200 million for the army.
The World Bank put the damage at $8.5 billion in November; the donors had pledged $800 million of humanitarian aid and $200 million for the army.
November 2024
Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
Ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel; the displaced return at once.
Under the ceasefire Hezbollah was to pull back north of the Litani and the Lebanese army to deploy south of it, while Israel had sixty days to leave the South. It took effect two months to the day after Nasrallah's killing. Nearly a million displaced went home at once, though Israel breached the truce from day one. De Clerck and Malsagne count about 3,400 dead in the 66-day war, about 4,000 counting from 8 October 2023.
Under the ceasefire Hezbollah was to pull back north of the Litani and the Lebanese army to deploy south of it, while Israel had sixty days to leave the South. It took effect two months to the day after Nasrallah's killing. Nearly a million displaced went home at once, though Israel breached the truce from day one. De Clerck and Malsagne count about 3,400 dead in the 66-day war, about 4,000 counting from 8 October 2023.
December 2024
Sunday, 8 December 2024
Since 2005 · From the books
The Assad regime falls in Syria.
Israel at once took Mount Hermon's Syrian slopes and the remainder of the Syrian Golan. In Lebanon, joy at the regime's fall mingled with war hatreds revived by the freeing of prisoners from Syrian jails, and families hoping to find missing relatives alive were disappointed. Some Syrians went home; others fled into Lebanon fearing Islamist reprisals.
Israel at once took Mount Hermon's Syrian slopes and the remainder of the Syrian Golan. In Lebanon, joy at the regime's fall mingled with war hatreds revived by the freeing of prisoners from Syrian jails, and families hoping to find missing relatives alive were disappointed. Some Syrians went home; others fled into Lebanon fearing Islamist reprisals.