International Forces Withdraw from Lebanon
September 11th, 1982
September 11th, 1982
How Long Ago?
42 years, 6 months, 4 days ago
Location
Beirut, Lebanon
Category
Military & Warfare
War/Conflict
Lebanese Civil War
People
- Ariel Sharon
- Yitzhak Rabin
- Walid Jumblatt
- Samir Geagea
Links & References
Tags
International Forces Withdraw from Lebanon
Following Israel's invasion of Lebanon, international forces ensuring the safety of Palestinian refugees departed from Beirut. This withdrawal created a security vacuum, which five days later resulted in the massacre of several thousand refugees in the Sabra and Shatila camps by Phalange militia forces, who were allied with Israel during the conflict.
International forces withdrew from Beirut.
Phalange forces targeted Palestinian camps.
Thousands of refugees were killed post-withdrawal.
Event heightened international awareness of the conflict.
What Happened?
In 1982, amidst the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Lebanon following Israel's invasion, international forces were stationed in Beirut to protect the Palestinian refugee population. However, on September 11, 1982, the withdrawal of these forces marked a pivotal moment in the Lebanese Civil War and directly impacted the safety of Palestinian refugees. This departure left the refugees vulnerable, as the Lebanese Phalange forces, a Christian militia, began to tighten their control over areas housing refugees. The situation escalated dramatically; only five days later, from September 16 to September 18, approximately 3,500 Palestinian refugees were killed in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. This massacre was executed primarily by the Phalange militia, who were ostensibly conducting a military operation with the tacit approval of Israeli forces, who had recently swept through Beirut. The international community’s response was one of widespread outrage, highlighting both the complicity of Israel in the events and the brutal nature of the civil conflict in Lebanon.
Why Does it Matter?
The withdrawal of international forces and the subsequent massacre at Sabra and Shatila are significant in understanding the complexities of Middle Eastern politics, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This incident not only revealed the extent of violence against civilians but also altered perceptions of Israel and its policies toward Palestinians. The massacre became a pivotal moment in the narrative of victimization among Palestinians and galvanized international human rights advocacy.
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