Israeli-Lebanon Conflict
...oured IDF Humvees patrolling along the Lebanese border road near the Israeli village of Zar’it with anti-tank rockets killing three soldiers, wounding three, and taking two in captivity to Lebanon's territory[citation needed]. Hezbollah has named this operation “Truthful Promise.” Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah then declared that “No military operation will return them… The prisoners will not be returned except through one way: indirect negotiations and a trade [of prisoners].”[12] The IDF confirmed that two Israeli soldiers were captured by Hezbollah, and identified them as Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. An Israeli Merkava Mark II tank was destroyed by a 300 kilogram (660 lb) improvised explosive device as it attempted to pursue Hezbollah into Lebanon. All four of the crew members were killed. Another Israeli soldier was killed when he came under heavy fire during an attempted recovery of the bodies from the tank[13]. In all, 8 soldiers were killed, 2 captured and 6 wounded[4]. Hezbollah leader Sayyed (Sheikh) Hassan Nasrallah said that a prisoner exchange was the only way to secure the release of the soldiers[14] and on 14 July said that Hezbollah is ready for “open war” with Israel. Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert declared the attack by Hezbollah’s military wing an “act of war” and promised Lebanon a “very painful and far-reaching response.”[15] Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz also said that “the State of Israel sees itself free to use all measures that it finds it needs, and the Israeli Forces have been given orders in that direction.”[16] IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said “If the soldiers are not returned we will turn Lebanon’s clock back 20 years.”[17] Israel said it held the Beirut government responsible for the attack, but Prime Minister Fuad Siniora denied any knowledge of the raid and stated that he did not condone it[18]. An emergency meeting of the Lebanese government reaffirmed this position[19]. Israel called up reserve troops, signaling a large-scale campaign, as operations continue in an attempt to free a soldier captured by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel sent troops and tanks into southern Lebanon, and the Israeli cabinet met at 7 PM Local Time, 4 PM UTC, Noon Eastern Time, 12 July 2006. Early on 13 July 2006 Israel sent IDF jets to ...