Outline
- Introduction.
- General research questions and hypotheses
- The goals of the paper;
- Historical background;
- Taking a detached view.
- Specific research question: civilian death toll.
- Conclusion.
Introduction
The uneasy situation in the Middle East constantly attracts the attention of World Community. The war actions of Israel in Lebanon in the year 2006 bore a spontaneous character and made great tension in International relations in the world and in that area, particularly. The reasons of war then were related to some dangerous groups of people which represented a menace for peaceful development of relationships in the Middle East.
General research questions and hypotheses
The goals of the paper
The topic is related to work out the reasons for war and the participation of Lebanese and Israeli troops in dampening the conflict. Also the work of secret service of Israel “Masada” is touched upon in accordance with Hezbollah’s actions.
Historical background
Since the creation of the Israel in 1948 the country began providing its internal and external policy. It could not but be reflected on the neighboring countries with negative effects. In other words, the Arabic countries of Middle East frequently invoke conflicts with Israel. In 1968 it was concerned with counterattacks of Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) on the southern borders of Israel. Lebanon took straightforward part in sponsorship of Fatah brigade in 1971 until 1980s when Israel several times tried to expel PLO by means of military forces. It concerned also so-called South Lebanon Army (SLA). The struggle was growing year by year when Israeli forces were in Lebanon. The activity of Hezbollah increased until 2000 when Israel withdrew its forces out of Lebanon (Mordechai Bar-On, 2006, 205). In 2006 the situation drew to a head when Hezbollah launched rockets to Israel and began war not only by air but also provided land operations killing, injuring, and capturing Israeli soldiers and peaceful population (Reinharz, Rabinovich, 2008, 551-553). ‘Operation Truthful Promise’, as it was declared by Hezbollah, was blamed by Israeli government and the war actions began.
Taking a detached view
The historical background provides a wide scope of facts and reasons which were responsible for the conflict in 2006. Moreover, Israeli struggle with neighboring Arabic countries does not decrease. According to the country’s intelligence the military weapon, rockets, missiles, came to Hezbollah from Iran, particularly. Other Muslim countries supported the war financially.
Specific research question and Hypothesis
Civilian death toll
War presupposes human losses. In this struggle mainly civilians were killed from the side of Lebanon. UNICEF stated that 30 % of killed were children (UNICEF, 2006). Moreover, from the side of Israel civilian losses were also considered with rates of killed and injured people. The number of killed Israeli civilians is less than in Lebanon, namely 47, due to in-time protection of people in bomb-shelters (BBC News Online, 2007).
Conclusion
The conflict between Israel and Lebanon showed once more the negative and struggling attitude of Arabic countries toward Israel. The work of intelligence and the direct involvement of troops were significant for Israeli government to finish the war. In this prospect the support of the USA and the International community helped to stabilize the situation with less human and economic losses. The succession of methods and steps, which were followed by both Israel and Hezbollah, should be counted for promotion of further solutions for peace in this uneasy area of the world.
References
- Bar-On, Mordechai. Never-Ending Conflict : Israeli Military History . Stackpole Books, 2006.
- BBC News Online (2007). “PM ‘says Israel pre-planned war‘”. Web.
- Harel , Amos, and Avi Issacharoff. 34 Days: Israel, Hezbollah, and the War in Lebanon . Palgrave Macmillan , 2008.
- Rabinovich, Itamar, and Jehuda Reinharz.. Israel in the Middle East : documents and readings on society, politics, and foreign relations, pre-1948 to the present University Press of New England, 2008.
- Thomas, Baylis. the Dark Side of Zionism: Israel’s Quest for Security Through Dominance, 2009.
- UNICEF (2006). “The humanitarian challenge in Lebanon“.