The border abduction of two Israeli soldiers on the morning of July 12, 2006, set in motion what would eventually become known as the Second Lebanon War. After 34 days and more than 5,000 casualties--including those injured--a ceasefire was signed, and the geopolitics of the region were changed immeasurably.

 

A #1 bestseller in Israel for months, 34 Days brilliantly reconstructs the progression of the war, from the soldiers' abduction through the hasty Israeli decision for an agressive response; the fateful discussions within the Cabinet and among senior Israeli command; and the heavy fighting in south Lebanon. It also delves into the raging diplomatic battles that took place in Paris, Washington, and New York, which would eventually end the war.

 

Praise

"A gripping account of the Israel-Lebanon conflict."--Newsweek

“Based on hundreds of interviews with players on both sides, the book is a thorough, clear-eyed (neither side escapes hard censure) view a of short-lived war, the influence of which is, and will continue to be, widely felt.” --Globe and Mail, Canada

Praise for Harel and Issachorff's The Seventh War:
"In this book, journalists Harel and Isacharoff trace the trajectory of the conflict. Though the authors are Israeli they take both sides to task." --Newsweek
“Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Amos Harel's and Avi Isacharoff's excellent book, The Seventh War is that for the first time in more than four years of warfare, one can take a break and read a comprehensive work of journalism which allows a degree of perspective." --Jerusalem Post

About the Author(s)

By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff

Amos Harel is the Ha'aretz newspaper's military correspondent.  Avi Issacharoff is the newspaper's Arab affairs correspondent.  They collaborated previously on The Seventh War: The Real Story of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, a bestseller in Israel and France, and winner of the prestigious Tshetshik Prize from The Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University as the best military study in Israel in 2004.  They live in Tel Aviv.

Table of Contents

Introduction * The Abduction * Barak Promises * Denial * A New Triumvirate * Going to War * The Ship Leaves Port * The Soldiers Can Wait * Bint J'Bayel, First Round * To Us, a Tie is the Same as Defeat * Floundering * The Cabinet * Casualty Count in Saluki * Not Defeat, Failure * Until the Next War