The 2006 Israeli War on Lebanon: Analysis and Strategic Implications

On July 12 2006, Israel started a devastating war against Lebanon following Hizbollah's kidnapping of two Israeli troops. The Israeli reaction was quick and massive and much different from the past attacks. What were the reasons of this war? Israel and Hizbollah entered the war ferociously and each hoped to achieve specific goals. What were these goals? Did they succeed in achieving them? The fighting ended after 34 days when UN Resolution 1701 was adopted. It called for a full cessation of hostilities and for an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in parallel with a deployment of UN and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Would this Resolution lead to a peaceful and stable situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border? After the war, the status quo in south Lebanon and possibly in the region will change. The war and its outcome will likely establish new arrangements and obligations. What are they? This SRP will try to answer these questions analyze the background causes and outcome and discuss the potential strategic implications of the war at the domestic regional and international levels.