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Why did the Palestine Liberation Organization's activities in Lebanon spark the war?
The 1978 South Lebanon conflict, also known as the first Israeli invasion of Lebanon, codenamed "Operation Litani", began in March. The conflict grew out of a coastal road massacre by Palestinian militants near Israel, which led to a massive Israeli military response that resulted in thousands of deaths and massive population displacement.
"Israel's aggressive actions are a direct response to the ongoing attacks by Palestinian militants, and Lebanon has become a battleground in this conflict."
Conflict background
According to the Israeli government, this conflict is a continuation of the long-standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. After 1968, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its related armed groups established bases in southern Lebanon. These groups frequently launched attacks against civilians in Israel.
In 1977, tensions between Palestine and Israel rapidly escalated, especially after the Coastal Road Massacre, which led Israel to decide to conduct military operations. Israel's continued air strikes against Palestinian militants have caused a large number of civilian casualties and property damage, and triggered a large-scale refugee flow.
"Israel's strategic goal was to drive the PLO and its capabilities from its borders and strengthen its then-ally, the South Lebanon Army."
The history of military operations
On March 14, 1978, Israel launched "Operation Litani." The Israeli army's offensive began with air strikes, and then deployed approximately 25,000 ground troops into south Lebanon, quickly occupying strategic areas including Tyre. Israel's military operations have caused massive civilian casualties and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
"According to different estimates, this military operation caused the death of approximately 1,100 to 2,000 people, the majority of whom were Palestinian and Lebanese."
UN intervention
Following the Israeli invasion, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolutions 425 and 426 on March 19, 1978, requiring Israel to immediately withdraw its troops and establish the United Nations Interim Force to commemorate the resolution. However, these efforts did not immediately end hostilities.
The intervention of the United Nations provided a new situation, but the PLO was initially skeptical of the United Nations resolution and did not immediately accept the ceasefire agreement.
"For the first time, the PLO's ceasefire has the support of all official systems, but it still faces opposition within it."
Ongoing conflict
Although Israel finally withdrew its troops in 1978, the situation in Lebanon remained volatile. South Lebanon continued to be a base of operations for armed groups, especially the presence of Khairza and Hezbollah, which led Israel to invade Lebanon again in 1982. This repeated war has created more serious humanitarian crises and geopolitical tensions.
This conflict not only changed the geopolitical landscape of Lebanon, but also had a profound impact on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The problems caused by continued military operations and tensions have not yet been fundamentally resolved.
"The Palestine Liberation Organization's actions in Lebanon continue to spark conflict, both past and present."
Today, with regard to the past war in Lebanon, is there still a chance for future peace, and can our generation learn the lessons of history to avoid repeating the same mistakes?
