Israel's 1978 invasion of southern Lebanon forced PLO withdrawal and prompted the UN to establish UNIFIL, shaping subsequent Middle East conflict patterns.
Key Facts
- Start date
- March 1978
- Lebanese/Palestinian deaths
- 1,100–2,000 people
- Israeli deaths
- 20 people
- Internally displaced
- 100,000–250,000 people
- UN resolutions adopted
- Resolution 425 and 426, 19 March 1978
- Israeli operational codename
- Operation Litani
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The conflict was triggered by the Coastal Road massacre near Tel Aviv, carried out by Palestinian militants operating from bases in southern Lebanon. Israel launched the invasion as a direct retaliatory and preventive military response, aiming to eliminate PLO infrastructure and stop cross-border attacks originating from Lebanese territory.
In March 1978, Israeli Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon up to the Litani River in an operation codenamed Operation Litani. The campaign was a large-scale military offensive targeting PLO positions throughout the region. Fighting resulted in 1,100–2,000 Lebanese and Palestinian deaths, 20 Israeli deaths, and mass displacement of up to 250,000 civilians.
The IDF achieved its military objective as the PLO was compelled to withdraw from southern Lebanon, removing its land-border threat to Israel. The UN Security Council adopted Resolutions 425 and 426, calling for Israeli withdrawal and establishing UNIFIL to monitor the area. Israel launched a second, larger invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
2 belligerents