Seven-Day War or Operation Accountability

On July 25, 1993, Israel conducted an artillery and air attack over South Lebanon, known as Operation Accountability. Its aim was retribution against Hezbollah, which was launching rockets against Israeli and SLA positions in South Lebanon. The Israeli Army carried out what appeared to be calculated direct attacks on purely civilian targets:

• An attack was carried out in Saida’s vegetable market, without any prior warning. At least two
people were killed and six injured.
• Between three and five ambulances were hit over the seven-day period. Medical and relief personnel
were transporting victims in the vehicles.
• Israel and Hezbollah used weapons that caused disproportionate civilian casualties.
• Israel may have used flechette shells and phosphorus in populated areas of southern Lebanon.
Though Israel issued warnings to the residents of South Lebanon to leave their homes, these were “ambiguous and therefore ineffective,” one Israeli officer said and gave them too little time to evacuate.
At the end of the Seven-Day War, the estimated toll on civilians was substantial.

• The Israeli attack killed at least 118 Lebanese civilians and wounded 500, with a high number
of children and elderly. Also, 55 villages were severely damaged, and 300,000 civilians
displaced.
• Hezbollah’s attacks on areas of under SLA control caused extensive damage and casualties among
noncombatants.
• Israeli forces cut the water and electricity supply, and destroyed civilian infrastructure, including
schools, mosques, churches, cemeteries, roads, and bridges.