Israel attacks Hizbollah strongholds
Israel pounded Hizbollah’s strongholds in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and south Beirut, killing approximately 400 civilians and forcing the displacement of more than half a million.
Here too objectives reached across several levels: the release of the two soldiers, the demolition of Hizbollah’s destructive capacity; instigation of domestic anger at Hizbollah; and international involvement to ensure it no longer could replenish its arms or again establish itself within proximity of Israel’s northern border.