The battle bolstered PLO and fedayeen prestige across the Arab world, accelerating Palestinian recruitment and sowing tensions that led to the 1971 Black September expulsion from Jordan.
Key Facts
- Duration
- 15 hours
- Date
- 21 March 1968
- PLO fighters captured
- ~100 prisoners
- Israeli soldiers left behind
- 3 dead soldiers in Karameh
- UN Resolution
- UNSC Resolution 248 condemned Israel
- Notable first
- First known deployment of Palestinian suicide bombers
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, Palestinian fedayeen relocated to Jordan and intensified cross-border attacks. Israel sought to destroy the PLO base at Karameh, capture Yasser Arafat, and punish Jordan for tolerating fedayeen operations along the Jordan River.
On 21 March 1968, a large Israeli force supported by fighter jets attacked Karameh at dawn. Contrary to Israeli expectations, the Jordanian Army deployed heavy artillery and Palestinian irregulars fought back with guerrilla tactics. After 15 hours of fighting, Israel withdrew, having destroyed much of the camp but suffering notable losses.
Both sides claimed victory. The battle elevated fedayeen and PLO standing throughout the Arab world, spurring a surge in recruits and funding. Growing PLO power in Jordan strained relations with the Hashemite monarchy, ultimately contributing to the Black September conflict and the PLO's expulsion to Lebanon in 1971.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
2 belligerents