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
177 entries on 109 dates · the books disagree on 49
dates 1–60 of 109 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 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.
Friday, 14 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Chirac calls Israel's response disproportionate; Egypt and Jordan blame Hezbollah.
Meeting in Cairo on 14 July, Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdallah II condemned Israel's offensive and demanded it end at once, while criticising Hezbollah's 'adventurism'. Jacques Chirac's Bastille Day speech judged Israel's response disproportionate and ruled out a military solution.
Meeting in Cairo on 14 July, Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdallah II condemned Israel's offensive and demanded it end at once, while criticising Hezbollah's 'adventurism'. Jacques Chirac's Bastille Day speech judged Israel's response disproportionate and ruled out a military solution.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Israeli special forces take the northern part of Ghajar.
Israeli special units seized the northern, Lebanese part of the border village of Ghajar on 14 July, when Harel and Issacharoff date the first Israeli raids into Lebanon.
Israeli special units seized the northern, Lebanese part of the border village of Ghajar on 14 July, when Harel and Issacharoff date the first Israeli raids into Lebanon.
Reports at the time: Not found in the archive.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Nasrallah announces 'open war' as a missile hits the Israeli warship Hanit off Beirut.
Four Israeli sailors died when an Iranian-made C-802 missile hit the missile boat Hanit off Beirut. Minutes later Nasrallah, by telephone on Al-Manar, told Beirut to look out to sea; hundreds went to the shore. An Arab journalist called it the turning point when Lebanese opinion swung to Hezbollah. Over a hundred rockets were fired at Israel that day.
Four Israeli sailors died when an Iranian-made C-802 missile hit the missile boat Hanit off Beirut. Minutes later Nasrallah, by telephone on Al-Manar, told Beirut to look out to sea; hundreds went to the shore. An Arab journalist called it the turning point when Lebanese opinion swung to Hezbollah. Over a hundred rockets were fired at Israel that day.
Reports at the time: The archive first reports the four sailors as missing (03:55 on 15 July) and also an Egyptian civilian ship hit in the same attack, which the books do not mention.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Hezbollah's 'security quarter' in Haret Hreik is flattened; Al-Manar keeps broadcasting.
Mona Harb stresses that Haret Hreik was chiefly a dense quarter of homes and shops; days of bombing ruined it. From the early evening jets levelled the towers holding Hezbollah's headquarters and the Al-Manar building, though the channel stayed on air from a secret site; tens of thousands had fled to northern Beirut after Israeli media announced the raid.
Mona Harb stresses that Haret Hreik was chiefly a dense quarter of homes and shops; days of bombing ruined it. From the early evening jets levelled the towers holding Hezbollah's headquarters and the Al-Manar building, though the channel stayed on air from a secret site; tens of thousands had fled to northern Beirut after Israeli media announced the raid.
Sources differ: Date: early evening of 14 July (34 Days) against 15 July (Abirached). Buildings destroyed: more than 200 (Harb), 182 plus 192 damaged (Verdeil), at least 127 (Bustos).
Reports at the time: The archive reports Nasrallah's headquarters and residence building destroyed on Friday evening 14 July (19:50, 20:15) and the official news agency confirming the nine-storey building 'entirely destroyed' at 15:10 on 15 July, which may explain Abirached's date.
The reports of that day, as they came in
Art and memory
- memorial Israeli bombing in summer 2006 hit UMAM's Hangar and documentation centre in Haret Hreik, where since 2001 Lokman Slim and Monika Borgmann had been archiving, among other things, the memory of the Lebanese war; part of the archive was destroyed.
Other date in the books: Saturday, 15 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Thousands cross to Syria at Masnaa before the crossing is bombed.
Israeli planes bombed Masnaa that evening, after nearly 17,000 people, many on foot, had crossed there to Syria with the airport shut. The tourism minister predicted billions in losses.
Israeli planes bombed Masnaa that evening, after nearly 17,000 people, many on foot, had crossed there to Syria with the airport shut. The tourism minister predicted billions in losses.
Reports at the time: The archive gives more than 12,000 Gulf nationals leaving through Masnaa on Thursday 13 July, and reports a raid near Masnaa (three dead) only at 12:45 on 15 July.
Saturday, 15 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Baalbek is bombed for the first time; the town empties.
Some 70 per cent of Baalbek's people had fled within 48 hours, to nearby villages, to Christian Zahle, or on to Syria and Jordan. The bombing began at 5 a.m. on 15 July with the petrol stations around the town; at 5 p.m. six raids hit the centre and the Ras al-Ain district, and Al-Safir reported thirty dead that afternoon.
Some 70 per cent of Baalbek's people had fled within 48 hours, to nearby villages, to Christian Zahle, or on to Syria and Jordan. The bombing began at 5 a.m. on 15 July with the petrol stations around the town; at 5 p.m. six raids hit the centre and the Ras al-Ain district, and Al-Safir reported thirty dead that afternoon.
Reports at the time: The archive's reports for 15 July have Sheikh Mohammad Yazbeck's house in Baalbek bombed at 17:30 and, at 19:00, ten civilians wounded in strikes on the homes of two Hezbollah leaders; none mentions thirty dead.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books mid July
Western governments evacuate their citizens by sea.
France alone repatriated some 14,000 people, 12,000 of them French, as Western governments, mostly by sea, brought out tens of thousands of their nationals after Israel bombed Beirut airport and the Damascus road; many were dual-national emigrants on summer visits.
France alone repatriated some 14,000 people, 12,000 of them French, as Western governments, mostly by sea, brought out tens of thousands of their nationals after Israel bombed Beirut airport and the Damascus road; many were dual-national emigrants on summer visits.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books mid July
Villagers fleeing Marwahin are killed on the road to Tyre.
Harel and Issacharoff count 21 dead among people leaving the border village of Marwahin for Tyre when Israeli aircraft struck their vehicle; images of the bodies were broadcast worldwide.
Harel and Issacharoff count 21 dead among people leaving the border village of Marwahin for Tyre when Israeli aircraft struck their vehicle; images of the bodies were broadcast worldwide.
Sources differ: Toll: 21 (34 Days); 18 civilians, mostly children (archive, 13:30); 20 including 15 children (archive strike note citing Reuters).
Reports at the time: The archive dates the attack to 15 July: first five civilians killed by helicopter fire on a minibus and a car (13:05), then eighteen civilians, mostly children, who were leaving on the Israeli army's orders (13:30). The 15 July strike note says 20 dead including 15 children; a 17 July note places the vehicles between Al-Bayyada and Shamaa.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Some twenty Lebanese NGOs agree a joint stand; schools are opened to the displaced.
The Civilian Campaign for Relief and an advocacy collective both grew out of a first meeting of some twenty Lebanese NGOs outside Zico House on 15 July, where they agreed a common position. Getting no response from the government, associations forced open public schools to house the displaced, after which the government declared all of them open. The 'Gathering of NGOs for Relief in Lebanon' eventually counted 74 organisations.
The Civilian Campaign for Relief and an advocacy collective both grew out of a first meeting of some twenty Lebanese NGOs outside Zico House on 15 July, where they agreed a common position. Getting no response from the government, associations forced open public schools to house the displaced, after which the government declared all of them open. The 'Gathering of NGOs for Relief in Lebanon' eventually counted 74 organisations.
Reports at the time: Not found in the archive.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Siniora sets out terms to end the war; Arab ministers reach no decision.
In a speech on 15 July Siniora agreed for the first time to send the army south, as part of terms to end the war. The same day the UN's special delegation arrived in the region, and Arab League foreign ministers broke up without a decision after Saudi Arabia's Saud al-Faisal angrily attacked the Syrian minister.
In a speech on 15 July Siniora agreed for the first time to send the army south, as part of terms to end the war. The same day the UN's special delegation arrived in the region, and Arab League foreign ministers broke up without a decision after Saudi Arabia's Saud al-Faisal angrily attacked the Syrian minister.
Sunday, 16 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Night raid on weapons moved out of Baalbek.
To spare civilians, Hezbollah had hurriedly moved part of its weaponry out of central Baalbek into fields at the town's entrance; on the night of 16-17 July Israeli forces struck the site for more than two hours.
To spare civilians, Hezbollah had hurriedly moved part of its weaponry out of central Baalbek into fields at the town's entrance; on the night of 16-17 July Israeli forces struck the site for more than two hours.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Rockets kill eight railway workers in Haifa; the G8 meets in St Petersburg.
On 16 July a Hezbollah rocket killed eight workers on the Haifa railway, and Condoleezza Rice said it was not the time for a ceasefire. The G8 summit closed that day with a statement that Abirached's chronology reads as a call for an immediate halt to the fighting; Harel and Issacharoff stress instead that it blamed Hamas and Hezbollah, floated an international force and wanted resolution 1559 applied and the Lebanese army sent south.
On 16 July a Hezbollah rocket killed eight workers on the Haifa railway, and Condoleezza Rice said it was not the time for a ceasefire. The G8 summit closed that day with a statement that Abirached's chronology reads as a call for an immediate halt to the fighting; Harel and Issacharoff stress instead that it blamed Hamas and Hezbollah, floated an international force and wanted resolution 1559 applied and the Lebanese army sent south.
Sources differ: Reading of the G8 text: support for Israel (34 Days) against a call for an immediate halt (Abirached).
Reports at the time: The archive's Haifa toll moves from eight to nine and back to eight. It does not record Rice's 'not the time' remark; its Lebanese tolls that day do not add up to Abirached's sixty.
Monday, 17 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
A family is killed in its home in Aitaroun.
Nine of one family, seven of them children, died in Aitaroun on 17 July when their house was blown up. Bread, fuel and water ran short for southern villagers who stayed despite Israeli leaflets ordering them out, and taxis charged a fortune for the trip to Beirut.
Nine of one family, seven of them children, died in Aitaroun on 17 July when their house was blown up. Bread, fuel and water ran short for southern villagers who stayed despite Israeli leaflets ordering them out, and taxis charged a fortune for the trip to Beirut.
Sources differ: Toll: nine including seven children (34 Days); thirteen of the Awadah family including nine children (archive, 18 July 01:13); nine dead, four wounded (archive strike note, 17 July).
Reports at the time: Archive: thirteen dead of the Awadah family, nine of them children (posted 01:13 on 18 July).
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Arab and French papers read the war differently.
French media spoke of a 'disproportionate' Israeli response; Al-Hayat's 17 July headline told of a continuing 'Israeli massacre' and Hezbollah missiles on Haifa. That day Abdel Bari Atwan (Al-Quds al-Arabi) replied to Egyptian and Saudi claims that the resistance served Iran: Iran's agenda was worthier than their 'American-Zionist' one. Al-Jazeera moved part of its newsroom to Beirut.
French media spoke of a 'disproportionate' Israeli response; Al-Hayat's 17 July headline told of a continuing 'Israeli massacre' and Hezbollah missiles on Haifa. That day Abdel Bari Atwan (Al-Quds al-Arabi) replied to Egyptian and Saudi claims that the resistance served Iran: Iran's agenda was worthier than their 'American-Zionist' one. Al-Jazeera moved part of its newsroom to Beirut.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Olmert sets Israel's conditions in the Knesset.
On 17 July Olmert told the Knesset Israel would stop once its captured soldiers were returned, a ceasefire agreed and Lebanese troops deployed in the South; the speech was later called 'Churchillian'. Harel and Issacharoff hold that Israel missed a chance to stop on 16-17 July.
On 17 July Olmert told the Knesset Israel would stop once its captured soldiers were returned, a ceasefire agreed and Lebanese troops deployed in the South; the speech was later called 'Churchillian'. Harel and Issacharoff hold that Israel missed a chance to stop on 16-17 July.
Tuesday, 18 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
The 'war on trucks' begins in the Bekaa.
From 18 July Israeli aircraft set out to destroy every lorry carrying fuel or food in the Bekaa, and private cars on the roads from Baalbek to its villages and to Zahle were also targeted. People soon went hungry.
From 18 July Israeli aircraft set out to destroy every lorry carrying fuel or food in the Bekaa, and private cars on the roads from Baalbek to its villages and to Zahle were also targeted. People soon went hungry.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Eleven Lebanese soldiers are killed at army barracks near Beirut.
Israeli raids on Lebanese army barracks killed eleven soldiers. Picard notes that throughout the war the army, confined to barracks and to civil-protection work, barely fired back, exposing how poorly armed fifteen years of Syrian-supervised rebuilding had left it.
Israeli raids on Lebanese army barracks killed eleven soldiers. Picard notes that throughout the war the army, confined to barracks and to civil-protection work, barely fired back, exposing how poorly armed fifteen years of Syrian-supervised rebuilding had left it.
Reports at the time: The archive names the Jamhour (and Kfarshima) barracks and gives eleven dead, four of them officers.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
240 dead in Lebanon; Israel turns down a UN ceasefire formula.
On the morning of 18 July UN envoys put to Tzipi Livni a formula accepted by Siniora and not rejected by Hezbollah, which might have placed the captured soldiers with the Lebanese government; the diplomats, quoted by Harel and Issacharoff, say Livni balked at its mention of the Shebaa Farms and Olmert refused it. Lebanon's dead numbered 240 that day, mostly civilians; in the war's second week the authorities put those who had fled at some half a million.
On the morning of 18 July UN envoys put to Tzipi Livni a formula accepted by Siniora and not rejected by Hezbollah, which might have placed the captured soldiers with the Lebanese government; the diplomats, quoted by Harel and Issacharoff, say Livni balked at its mention of the Shebaa Farms and Olmert refused it. Lebanon's dead numbered 240 that day, mostly civilians; in the war's second week the authorities put those who had fled at some half a million.
Reports at the time: Archive: '240 dead since the beginning of the assault' (01:55 on 18 July).
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books range
UN agencies and international NGOs arrive; 'humanitarian corridors' disappoint.
Raymond describes local associations proving more effective than the international agencies, which were slowed by heavy UN procedures and later mostly admitted as much. When UN agencies and international NGOs arrived, between the war's second and third weeks, there were hopes of supplies despite the blockade and of protected 'humanitarian corridors', but protection came only in part.
Raymond describes local associations proving more effective than the international agencies, which were slowed by heavy UN procedures and later mostly admitted as much. When UN agencies and international NGOs arrived, between the war's second and third weeks, there were hopes of supplies despite the blockade and of protected 'humanitarian corridors', but protection came only in part.
Reports at the time: The archive traces the corridor idea to Chirac's call of 19 July. Israel agreed to a corridor on 21-22 July; on 23 July aid was still stuck in Syria; the first WFP convoy got to Tyre on 26 July.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
First ground clash at the Shaked outpost above Maroun al-Ras.
On 19 July Walid Jumblatt made any ceasefire conditional on the state deciding on war and peace. Avivim, a moshav under fire from Maroun al-Ras, had nearly emptied; a Maglan team heading for the nearby Shaked hill found a Hezbollah bunker, and two of its soldiers died in the fighting.
On 19 July Walid Jumblatt made any ceasefire conditional on the state deciding on war and peace. Avivim, a moshav under fire from Maroun al-Ras, had nearly emptied; a Maglan team heading for the nearby Shaked hill found a Hezbollah bunker, and two of its soldiers died in the fighting.
Reports at the time: The archive places much of the 19 July fighting at Aitaroun and has Hezbollah claiming six Israeli soldiers killed against Israel's two.
Thursday, 20 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Battle of Maroun al-Ras.
Egoz lost a company commander and four men on 20 July in its first clash at Maroun al-Ras, sent in by daylight to back paratroopers who had entered at dawn; the battle lasted two more days.
Egoz lost a company commander and four men on 20 July in its first clash at Maroun al-Ras, sent in by daylight to back paratroopers who had entered at dawn; the battle lasted two more days.
Sources differ: Israeli dead: five (34 Days) against four among eight dead (Abirached).
Reports at the time: The archive reports four Israeli soldiers killed that evening; a fifth is identified only on 23 July, the day Hezbollah acknowledged the Israeli entry.
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Nasrallah tells Al-Jazeera Hezbollah is intact.
Interviewed on Al-Jazeera, Nasrallah denied taking instructions from Iran or Syria and said Israel had seized on the capture to start a war planned long before. Hezbollah, he claimed, had lost none of its leaders or military strength; victory meant the resistance surviving.
Interviewed on Al-Jazeera, Nasrallah denied taking instructions from Iran or Syria and said Israel had seized on the capture to start a war planned long before. Hezbollah, he claimed, had lost none of its leaders or military strength; victory meant the resistance surviving.
Sources differ: 20 July (Abirached) against 21 July (34 Days).
Reports at the time: The archive reports the interview at 23:10 on 20 July, so 34 Days' date probably reflects its broadcast or reporting the next day.
The reports of that day, as they came in
Other date in the books: Friday, 21 July 2006
Friday, 21 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Hezbollah rejects the UN plan; Baalbek and Tyre bombed.
On 21 July Halutz told his division commanders he saw no chance of a major ground offensive. Israel raided Baalbek and Tyre; Hezbollah rejected a UN plan for an immediate halt and the soldiers' unconditional release.
On 21 July Halutz told his division commanders he saw no chance of a major ground offensive. Israel raided Baalbek and Tyre; Hezbollah rejected a UN plan for an immediate halt and the soldiers' unconditional release.
Reports at the time: The archive attributes the plan to Kofi Annan and reports the same evening that Israel accepted a humanitarian corridor.
Saturday, 22 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Israeli armour crosses into Lebanon.
Israeli armour, about ten vehicles, crossed the border into Lebanon.
Israeli armour, about ten vehicles, crossed the border into Lebanon.
Reports at the time: The archive places the crossing at Avivim after the border fence was destroyed (15:40).
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Abbas Baydoun publishes 'A possible poem for the Dahiye'.
On 22 July Al-Safir carried 'A possible poem for the Dahiye' by the poet Abbas Baydoun, which looks over the bombed southern suburb for the details, moments and things that must once have been there.
On 22 July Al-Safir carried 'A possible poem for the Dahiye' by the poet Abbas Baydoun, which looks over the bombed southern suburb for the details, moments and things that must once have been there.
Art and memory
- artwork Abbas Baydoun's 'A possible poem for the Dahiye' (Al-Safir, 22 July 2006) is a written trace of the southern suburb in ruins; Mona Harb opens her chapter on the Dahiye with a line from it.
Sunday, 23 July 2006
July 2006, as the books tell it · From the books
Israel begins to look for an exit; Syria threatens to join a ground war.
On Sunday 23 July, with no quick victory in sight, Olmert's office first weighed a political end to the war, and the defence minister's office debated ceasefire terms. Israeli units in the South readied an attack on Bint Jbeil; a Syrian minister warned that a ground offensive in Lebanon would bring Syria into the war.
On Sunday 23 July, with no quick victory in sight, Olmert's office first weighed a political end to the war, and the defence minister's office debated ceasefire terms. Israeli units in the South readied an attack on Bint Jbeil; a Syrian minister warned that a ground offensive in Lebanon would bring Syria into the war.
Sources differ: The archive names the Syrian minister Mohsen Bilal as information minister, not foreign minister.
Reports at the time: Archive: 'Moshen Bilal, the Syrian information minister'.
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