Lebanon on Edge: Echoes of 1982 and the Threat of War
Lebanon today finds itself in a precarious situation, eerily reminiscent of the period leading up to the 1982 Israeli invasion. While the outcomes may not be identical, the similarities in the lead-up are striking and cause for concern. As reported by Annahar, escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), whose factions were based in southern Lebanon, brought the world to the brink of war.
The Precursors of Conflict
Before the 1982 invasion, the world watched as tensions mounted. Statements from Israeli leaders, military movements along the border, and warnings from US Secretary of State Alexander Haig signaled an impending conflict. Meanwhile, Yasser Arafat, from Beirut, issued fiery speeches, assuring the strength of the Palestinian front while vowing a harsh response to the Israelis and Americans. The world knew then that war was imminent.
At that time, the United States was led by a staunchly pro-Israel Republican president, Ronald Reagan. Israel was governed by a right-wing extremist government headed by Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon, both of whom had ties to violent Zionist groups. Lebanon, like today, was fractured, with various factions and militias vying for power amid widespread popular discontent, especially in the south, directed at the PLO militants. Israel had prepared for war, awaiting a pretext, which came in the form of an assassination attempt on the Israeli ambassador in London in June 1982.
The 1982 Invasion and Its Aftermath
The invasion of 1982 saw Israel occupy southern Lebanon, a significant portion of the mountains, the Beqaa Valley, and the capital, Beirut. The PLO was expelled from Lebanon, and much of the Syrian air force was destroyed in the Beqaa Valley. Resistance to the occupation began almost immediately. Operations against Israeli forces started everywhere, forcing their withdrawal from Beirut and then from the rest of the areas. They then stationed themselves in the south, using an army of collaborators from various Lebanese sects.
Early resistance efforts were spearheaded by communists, Syrian nationalists, and the Amal movement before Hezbollah emerged, gaining prominence through regional alliances and Iranian-Syrian involvement. Hezbollah waged a war of liberation against the occupying forces, bolstered by Syrian support and Iranian financial and military aid, as well as significant popular backing. This guerrilla warfare, which relied on small fighting groups motivated by an ideology that glorified martyrdom, resulted in the liberation of the south in 2000. Hezbollah, which then became known as the Islamic Resistance, saw its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, become a Lebanese and Arab symbol of resistance against the Israeli occupation.
Current Tensions and the Path Ahead
Today, the recent diplomatic efforts towards Lebanon, including visits from American and Arab envoys, particularly Egyptians, come amidst heightened tensions and escalating Israeli threats, coupled with increased assassinations of Hezbollah field commanders. The current situation presents Hezbollah with difficult choices: either surrender its weapons or face a large-scale aggression that could eliminate its arsenal. The situation is complex, and the hope rests on those who can devise creative solutions to avert the war looming on the horizon.
The current situation in Lebanon is marked by escalating tensions, mirroring the environment before the 1982 invasion. The United States, Israel, Hezbollah, and other regional and international actors are all involved in a complex web of conflict and diplomacy. The future remains uncertain, but the echoes of the past serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of escalating conflict. (Source: Annahar)
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