RL33566
Lebanon: The Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah Conflict
August 14, 2006
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Summary
This report analyzes the current conflict between Israel and two U.S. State Department-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), the Lebanese Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah and the radical Palestinian Hamas organization. On July 12, 2006, what had been a localized conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip instantly became a regional conflagration after Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a surprise attack along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Israel has responded by carrying out air strikes against suspected Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, and Hezbollah has countered with rocket attacks against cities and towns in northern Israel. In order to push Hezbollah back from its border, Israel has launched a fullscale ground operation in Lebanon with the hopes of establishing a security zone free of Hezbollah militants. Meanwhile, Israeli clashes with Hamas and other Palestinian militants have continued in the Gaza Strip. The Bush Administration has repeatedly stated its unequivocal support for Israel during this time of crisis, and President Bush has charged that "the root cause of the problem is Hezbollah... And part of those terrorist attacks are inspired by nation states, like Syria and Iran." Many in the international community have called for an immediate cease-fire. On August 11, after intensive diplomacy, the U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S.-French drafted resolution (Resolution 1701) that would end the fighting and lead to the formation of a new or expanded international peacekeeping force in Lebanon. On July 18, 2006, the Senate passed S.Res. 534, which, among other things, calls for the release of Israeli soldiers who are being held captive by Hezbollah or Hamas; condemns the governments of Iran and Syria for their continued support for Hezbollah and Hamas; urges all sides to protect innocent civilian life and infrastructure; and strongly supports the use of all diplomatic means available to free the captured Israeli soldiers. On July 20, 2006, the House passed H.Res. 921, which also condemns Hezbollah's attack on Israel and urges the President to bring sanctions against the governments of Syria and Iran for their alleged sponsorship of Hezbollah. The extension of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into the Lebanese arena has created a multifaceted crisis that cuts across a number of U.S. policy issues in the Middle East. This report discusses not only the current military situation but also its implications for regional stability, Syrian influence in Lebanon and calls for meaningful Lebanese independence, Iranian regional aspirations and its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, and energy security. This report will be updated as events unfold. A number of CRS analysts have contributed to this report. For additional questions, please contact the individual specialist listed under each section of the report. For more information on the major countries in the current conflict, please see CRS Report RL33476, Israel: Background and Relations with the United States; CRS Report RL33509, Lebanon; CRS Report RL33487, Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues, CRS Report RL32048, Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses, and CRS Report RL33530, Israeli-Arab Negotiations: Background, Related Developments, and U.S. Policy.
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Related Legislation:
- S.R.534
- H.RES.921
