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Why did the conflict in South Lebanon in 1978 shock the entire Middle East?
The 1978 South Lebanon conflict, also known as the first Israeli invasion of Lebanon, was codenamed Operation Litani. The outbreak of this military operation not only reshaped the political landscape of the region, but also shocked the entire Middle East. The invasion was an act of retaliation for the massacre on the coastal boulevard near Tel Aviv, carried out by Palestinian militants based in Hong Kong, which resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and widespread displacement.
The death toll caused by this conflict is estimated to be between 1,100 and 2,000, including more than 350 Palestinian militants and many innocent Lebanese civilians.
Background of the conflict
The conflict in South Lebanon is not an isolated incident, but a continuation of the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine. In the 1970s, due to the defeat of Black September, more than 3,000 Palestinian militants fled to Lebanon and established a quasi-state there. The militants began using Lebanon as a base to attack Israel, launching a series of attacks in northern Israel.
What happened
On March 14, 1978, Israel launched Operation Litani, whose main purpose was to expel the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and other armed forces and support its then ally, the South Lebanon Army. At that time, the Israel Defense Forces deployed about 25,000 soldiers and quickly occupied most of South Lebanon after a week-long attack.
Israeli aerial bombardment and shelling caused a large number of civilian casualties and triggered large-scale internal displacement.
During the battle, the targets were mainly PLO strongholds, but because the Palestinian army had already retreated early, the IDF was unable to engage a large number of PLO troops. On the contrary, the civilian casualties and infrastructure damage have caused irreparable consequences.
International reaction
Shortly after this conflict, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 425, requiring Israel to withdraw its troops and establish the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) to ensure peace and security in the region. However, the resolution failed to immediately end hostilities. Israeli military operations continued for several days until Israel declared a ceasefire.
This resolution not only failed to quell the conflict, but further exposed the fragility of the Palestinian resistance movement.
Long-term impact
The South Lebanon conflict in 1978 was not only a military operation, but also a turning point in the geopolitical situation in the entire Middle East. The outbreak of the conflict drew international attention to the issue of Israel and Palestine, and set the stage for many subsequent conflicts, such as the second Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. In the coming decades, the border area between Lebanon and Israel will continue to be turbulent and become a hotspot for multi-party military operations.
Conclusion
Ultimately, we have to ask: Are there deeper historical and political tensions underlying this conflict that have yet to be eradicated?
