A Day That Shook The World: Israel invades Lebanon

(Getty)

On 12 July 2006, conflict suddenly erupted between Israel and its neighbour Lebanon.

It started when a unit of Hezbollah troops crossed the border and ambushed a group of Israeli soldiers, killing three and kidnapping two. The fighting escalated after a bungled Israeli rescue attempt, leading Israel to launch a massive bombardment at its neighbour, which then retaliated with rocket attacks. In all, 44 Israeli civilians were killed.

Lebanese losses were far greater however: more than 1,000 civilians lost their lives, while the southern part of the country was left devastated and partially uninhabitable - to a chorus of international condemnation.

Watch original British Pathe footage from the brief war, above.