Justum Ad Bellum & Israel’s 2006 Attack on Lebanon: An Examination of Just War Principles

Abstract

Due to the continuum of Hezbollah rocket attacks from southern Lebanon, Israel attacked Lebanon in July 2006, devastating infrastructure and causing substantial loss of Lebanese lives. This paper provides a detailed documented analysis that examines the applicability of Just-War concepts and criteria for the attack with a view to determine whether or not it was morally justified according to accepted international standards. After reviewing contemporary expositors, our analysis of Just-War criteria according to traditions stemming from St. Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas indicate that although a few criteria fit Just-War Theory, Israel had overwhelmingly failed to satisfy requisite conditions for both jus ad bellum and jus in bello, thereby rendering their Lebanon incursion unjustifiable, and therefore an unjust war.

Critical Analysis of Israel's War Crimes During Hezbollah-Israel War of 2006

“…The Jus ad Bellum is associated with the fundamental questions of when it is just to initiate a war. The Jus in Bello on the other hand addresses the questions of how just the war is done (Gassama, et al, 2018).…”

“…However, after 34 days, the conflict ended after UN resolutions and many objectives were left unsolved. The failure of IDF to achieve its war objectives in the state of Lebanon was depicted by its then Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Dan Halutz when he said: "We were not successful in reducing the short-range rockets on Israel's north until the ceasefire" (Gassama, et al, 2018).…”

“…Therefore, it can be averred that conditions related to Jus ad Bellum were satisfied by Israel to a certain degree although the goal and objectives under which they started the war were not achievable. This important assertion was proved when the war ended, and Israeli soldiers captured on 12 th July 2006 returned home as fallen combatants, and Hezbollah's capabilities to attack its nemesis were not completely neutralized and destroyed according to Israel's plans (Gassama, et al, 2018). Not only were these objectives of Israel's attacks remained unaccomplished, but they also went far beyond the limitations of principles about just war and proportionality and dropped cluster and phosphorus bombs on the civilian population well inside Lebanese territory.…”