WAR OF LEBANON: OCCUPATION OF AN ARAB CAPITAL PART 2 OF 3
An interim cease-fire brokered by the United States in 1981 between Syria, the PLO, and Israel was respected for almost a year. Several incidents, cross fire between the two parties, led to the June 6, 1982, Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon.
The Israelis label the invasion Operation Peace for Galilee, with a view toward paving the way for an Israeli-Lebanese peace agreement. With these aims in mind, Israeli forces drove 25 miles into Lebanon, moving into East Beirut with the support of Maronite Christian leaders and militia. At first, distressed with the PLOs existence, a few Lebanese welcomed the Israelis, but as the occupation grew from weeks to months, popular resentment against Israel grew. (Israeli citizens were also unhappy with the war, as losses were heavy and the goals were not clear)
Within six months, Israel withdrew from most of Lebanon, but they left troops behind in a ten mile wide security zone along the Israeli-Lebanese border. With their allies, the South Lebanon Army, Israel hoped to prevent future assaults.
Part of a rather sober view on the bloody history of Lebanon in the second half of the 20th century. Features interviews with members of all relevant factions and foreign powers describing their motivations and views in retrospect.
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