The damaged bus from the Costal Highway Attack 1978
On March 11, 1978 (referred to by the Rebbe as “the infamous Shabbos”), eleven PLO terrorists infiltrated Israel from Lebanon and launched a brutal attack, hijacking a bus on Israel’s Coastal Highway. Thirty-eight Israeli civilians were killed, and seventy-six more were wounded.[1]
On March 15, Israel launched Operation Litani, swiftly conquering most of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River.[2]
Initial Success
The Rebbe praised the operation’s start, noting its efficiency and decisiveness:
IDF Chief of staff Motta Gur along with defense minister Ezer Weizman at a press conference in Tel Aviv during Operation Litani 03/25/1978 By Levi Freidin (C) JEMThey didn’t hold big meetings. They didn’t form committees. They didn’t bring the plans to a first, second, and third reading. They left it to the military experts who know how to operate in Northern Israel and the territories past Israel’s northern border.
They quickly decided what to do, then took action -- without publicity, and without seeking the opinions of 120 members of Knesset, amongst whom are non-Jews—Christians, Muslims, and communists who receive their orders from Moscow.
They came to a decision with the knowledge that lives are at stake, and they acted immediately. They saw the fulfillment of: “Fear and panic shall fall upon them,” and all the successes that followed, demonstrating that this is the way to prevent wars.
IDF Footprint in Lebanon during Operation Litani
However, the operation's swift start was soon stalled. On March 21, Israel declared a ceasefire in Southern Lebanon at the behest of the United Nations Security Council.[3] In an address two months later, the Rebbe warned that Israel should hold on and finish the job, at the very least by securing all the territory south of the Litani River, including the city of Tyre.
They tried to keep it quiet. When the IDF began to drive the terrorists from Lebanon, they pushed them out of everywhere besides for the city of Tyre, which everyone knows (or, at least, anyone who is interested knows) is one of the strongest of the terrorist nests.[4]
Withdrawal
Saad Haddad. Founder and head of the SLA.
Starting in April, Israel began a gradual withdrawal, over the next two months transferring "security control" of southern Lebanon to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as well as to the Christian-led South Lebanon Army (SLA).[5]
In an address on May 21, the Rebbe declared this turnover of power a horrible misstep. Foreign troops will not put themselves in harm’s way to protect Israel’s citizens.
When they were asked why they didn’t take Tyre, they replied, “That was the negotiated agreement.”
With whom did you negotiate?
They replied, “With the terrorists, or their representatives.”
They tried to convince everyone that it was “decided” that this would be handled through the 'Sword of Peace,' the so-called UN. What the UN did there: When the terrorists objected, the French replied that they can’t put their soldiers in danger, so they’d retreat and sit in their positions until the terrorists allow them to redeploy.
The Rebbe pointed out that after all the pain, anguish, and loss of the war, the city with the largest threat—Tyre—was left untouched, allowing it to thrive as a bastion of terrorists. He asserted that this course of action would eventually lead to the reversal of gains achieved during Operation Litani.[7]
The IDF’s withdrawal from Lebanon allowed the PLO to rebuild its operations. Israel sought to contain the threat by supporting the SLA and carrying out sporadic IAF airstrikes on PLO strongholds. However, hostilities continued, and in the summer of 1982, Israel launched the First Lebanon War with the stated objective of dismantling the PLO’s infrastructure in Lebanon.[8]
Other Mentions
Additional references to Operation Litani by the Rebbe.
When took Lebanon to give back. Sicha, 24 Adar 2, 5738 - Audio
Say Yehuda and Shomron belong to Yidden yet will give away. Sicha, 14 Iyar, 5738 - Audio
We took the soldiers out of Lebanon. Sicha, 14 Iyar, 5738 - Audio
The Rebbe compares Tyre to Vietnam. Sicha, 14 Iyar, 5738 - Audio
Leaving a forth side open is Halacha but take the land. Sicha, 14 Iyar, 5738 - Audio
.jpg)