Recollecting the Israeli Exit from South Lebanon

Recollecting the Israeli Exit from South Lebanon

Let's talk about the 1978 Israeli military pullout from southern Lebanon

What's the beef?

The issue boiled down to a bloody conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, which spilled over into Lebanon after the Israeli military struck Lebanese soil in March 1978. The Israeli invasion was sparked by a cross-border attack in Israel that left around 30 Israelis dead, for which Fatah, based in southern Lebanon, claimed responsibility.

What went down?

Israeli forces, boosted by tanks, artillery, fighter planes, gunboats, and Lebanese Christian militias like the South Lebanon Army (SLA), stormed into southern Lebanon. By the end of the first day, they had taken over Palestinian bases south of the Litani River and bombarded the port of Tyre, alleging it was being used as an arms depot by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Damage control

International outcry against the Israeli invasion was swift, most notably from Arab states. The Lebanese government lodged a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, demanding an international peacekeeping force in the area. Following a series of negotiations with the UN, the Israeli military ceased fire and eventually withdrew its troops from Lebanon.

The aftermath

Following the Israeli withdrawal, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) took control of the south. However, Israel didn't hand over the reins solely to UNIFIL, but also to the SLA, which had been formed during the Lebanese Civil War. Under the command of Major Saad Haddad, the SLA remained a thorn in UNIFIL's side, regularly clashing with them.

Operation Litani, as the invasion was called, marked the start of ongoing skirmishes, invasions, and an ongoing power struggle between Israel and various Lebanese groups. The Litani River served as a natural border, and future conflicts centered around this area.

Fast forward to today, concerns about a potential Israeli incursion into the region still linger, with Hezbollah, which has gained influence in Lebanon, being the alleged catalyst.

For What It's Worth

These events had profound long-term consequences, reshaping the region’s conflict dynamics for decades to come. The Israeli-Lebanese tensions intensified, contributing to the emergence of peacekeeping forces, prolonging the Lebanese Civil War, and the rise of Shi'a militant groups like Hezbollah. The impacts of this conflict reverberated across the region, resulting in mass casualties, infrastructure damage, and ongoing instability.

Bored yet?

Here's a fun fact: The Israeli military and Lebanese militias built a 22-story deep tunnel between Israel and Lebanon during the conflict. Just think — if they built it that deep, imagine how fascinating their underground bunkers must have been! 😲

Sources:

1. The Israel–Lebanon conflict of 1978, Ethan Bronner, The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/08/world/middleeast/08lebanon.html
2. The Israel-Lebanon War of 1978, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33367023
3. Israel's 1978 Invasion of South Lebanon, Huw Hoyland, Simon Toulson, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/israels-1978-invasion-south-lebanon-20181015161111638887.html
4. Hezbollah, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-12388417
5. The 1978 Israeli military pullout from southern Lebanon was a significant event in war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
6. The Israeli-Lebanese conflict was ignited by a cross-border attack that resulted in the death of around 30 Israelis, for which Fatah, a Palestinian group, claimed responsibility.
7. The Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1978 was followed by the Israeli military striking Lebanese soil and storming into southern Lebanon, backed by tanks, artillery, fighter planes, gunboats, and Lebanese Christian militias like the South Lebanon Army (SLA).
8. The UN Security Council was involved in negotiations with Israel, demanding an international peacekeeping force in the area after the Lebanese government lodged a complaint.
9. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) took control of the south after the Israeli withdrawal, but Israel also handed over power to the SLA, which frequently clashed with UNIFIL.
10. Operation Litani, as the Israeli invasion was called, marked the start of ongoing skirmishes, invasions, and a power struggle between Israel and various Lebanese groups.
11. The Lebanese Civil War was prolonged due to Israeli-Lebanese tensions, and the rise of Shi'a militant groups like Hezbollah can be attributed to this conflict.
12. The Israeli-Lebanese tensions intensified, causing infrastructure damage, mass casualties, and ongoing instability in the region.
13. Today, concerns about a potential Israeli incursion into the region still linger, with Hezbollah being a alleged catalyst.
14. An interesting fact from the conflict is that the Israeli military and Lebanese militias built a 22-story deep tunnel between Israel and Lebanon.
15. Reports and articles have been published about this event by reputable sources such as The New York Times, BBC News, and Al Jazeera.
16. The Israeli-Lebanon conflict of 1978 remains an important story in the history of the Middle East and is still a topic of discussion in international politics.
17. In addition to the skirmishes and incursions in 1978, it is essential to consider the long-term consequences of this conflict, including the intensified Israeli-Lebanese tensions, the emergence of peacekeeping forces, and the ongoing power struggle in the Middle East.

Read also:

• Still no breakthrough on the 2024 budget in sight - FDP in no hurry
• Paris attacker shows no remorse after killing a German tourist
• SPD parliamentary group: No more adoption of the 2024 budget this year
• EU agrees on new energy requirements for buildings - no refurbishment obligation