IDF Reveals Operational Order Marking 20 Years Since Second Lebanon War Began

On July 12, 2006, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched the Second Lebanon War following a Hezbollah attack on the northern border and the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers. The conflict lasted 34 days, ending on August 14, 2006, with the IDF conducting operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The operational order from the IDF's Operations Branch detailed preparations for simultaneous actions in both Lebanon and Gaza, noting that eight Israeli soldiers were killed and several wounded in the western sector of Lebanon. The Israeli Air Force carried out extensive strikes across southern Lebanon and targeted the Palestinian Foreign Ministry in Gaza during Operation "Returning Echo."

The order also described the expansion of ground operations in Lebanon toward the Litani River, aiming to reduce rocket fire on northern Israeli communities and inflict deeper damage on Hezbollah. The conflict was triggered by a Hezbollah ambush on July 12, 2006, in the area between Zar'it and Shtula, where three IDF soldiers were killed, two wounded, and two soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, were abducted into Lebanon. A subsequent tank hit a mine, killing four crew members, and a rescue attempt resulted in one more soldier's death and two injuries.

The Israeli government swiftly approved extensive military action against Hezbollah to remove the northern border threat and restore deterrence, explicitly avoiding confrontation with Syria. The war, initially named "Operation Just Reward" and later "Changing Direction," also coincided with IDF operations in Gaza following the earlier kidnapping of soldier Gilad Shalit.

Hezbollah suffered significant losses, including all border outposts, heavy casualties, and destruction of much of its military equipment. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah later admitted that he would not have authorized the kidnapping had he anticipated Israel's strong response. The war resulted in 118 Israeli soldiers and 41 civilians killed, but did not secure the immediate return of the abducted soldiers. Indirect negotiations continued for two years, culminating in a prisoner exchange on July 16, 2008, when the bodies of Goldwasser and Regev were returned to Israel.