On July 12, 2006, the Lebanon War erupted following a daring operation by Hezbollah. The militant group carried out a cross-border raid into Israel, taking two Israeli soldiers hostage and killing several others. This incident provoked an immediate and robust military response from Israel, which began conducting airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds and infrastructure across Lebanon, including Beirut. The attack was framed by Israel as a necessary action to retrieve the hostages and halt Hezbollah’s rocket fire into northern Israel. The conflict quickly escalated, leading to heavy bombardments, ground troop deployments, and intensified exchanges of fire across the Lebanon-Israel border.

As the conflict unfolded, the international community watched with growing concern. Hostilities continued for more than a month, characterized by Israel's extensive air campaign and Hezbollah's counterattacks, which included launching thousands of rockets into Israeli territory. Areas in southern Lebanon were particularly hard-hit, with many civilian casualties and the displacement of a significant portion of the Lebanese population. The war concluded with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire on August 14, 2006, but the effects of the conflict would linger for years, shaping regional dynamics and political discourse in both Lebanon and Israel.