Violence and Invasion: 1980–82

Abstract

The situation in southern Lebanon remained tense and explosive during the second quarter of 1980. Israel alleged that hundreds of Palestinian guerrilla fighters were in the UNIFIL area, but the UN said there were only 220, and they had been there when UNIFIL moved in. On 6 April a five-man commando unit of the Iraqi-supported Arab Liberation Front entered Israel to strike at the Misgav kibbutz. They killed several people, but were themselves wiped out by Israeli security forces. This roused Israel into renewed anti-Palestinian activity, and on the 9th an Israeli armoured infantry force of over 300 men moved into southern Lebanon. They stayed there for some time, constructing fortifications for Major Haddad’s militia (they had brought with them heavy earth-moving machinery for the purpose) and building approach and linking roads ready for swift access whenever needed.