Initial action Military operations of the 2006 Lebanon War

areas in lebanon targeted israeli bombing, 12 july 27 july 2006.

hezbollah released statement saying implementing our promise free arab prisoners in israeli jails, our strugglers have captured 2 israeli soldiers in southern lebanon . later on, sayyid hassan nasrallah declared no military operation return them... prisoners not returned except through 1 way: indirect negotiations , trade of prisoners.

according cnn:

the israeli cabinet authorized severe , harsh retaliation on lebanon ... israel s chief of staff, lt. gen. dan halutz, told israel s channel 10, if soldiers not returned, turn lebanon s clock 20 years.

according washington post:

but retired israeli army col. gal luft, former commander in town of ramallah, said, israel attempting create rift between lebanese population , hezbollah supporters exacting heavy price elite in beirut. message is: if want air conditioning work , if want able fly paris shopping, must pull head out of sand , take action toward shutting down hezbollah-land.

israeli prime minister ehud olmert declared attack hezbollah’s military wing act of war , , promised lebanon painful , far-reaching response. israeli defense minister amir peretz said state of israel sees free use measures finds needs, , israeli forces have been given orders in direction.

israel said held beirut government responsible attack, prime minister fuad siniora denied knowledge of raid , stated did not condone it. emergency meeting of lebanese government reaffirmed position.

the israeli government began public relations initiative in press , internet promote , explain actions in lebanon, practice known hasbara. israeli foreign ministry coordinated efforts of trainee diplomats , international jewish , evangelical christian groups track , influence websites, chatrooms, , polls pertaining 2006 israel-lebanon conflict 2006 israel-gaza conflict using so-called megaphone software . ron schleifer described how israel engaged in psychological warfare, inseparable part of military operations.