PLO withdrawal from Lebanon

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PLO withdrawal from Lebanon
Part of 1982 Lebanon War, Lebanese Civil War
Date 21 August[1] – 2 September 1982[2] Location West Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon Result Approx. 22,000 PLO fighters evacuated to Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, North and South Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria.[3]
Parties
Palestine Liberation Organization	Israel	United States  France  Italy
Casualties and losses
1,000–2,400 killed 6,000 captured

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) withdrawal from Lebanon during the 1982 Lebanon War of most of its forces began on 21 August 1982, under the mediation of United States envoy Philip C. Habib.^[4] The withdrawal was prompted by intense military pressure from Israeli forces,^[5] which had launched a large-scale invasion of Lebanon in June 1982, dubbed by them 'Operation Peace for Galilee'. Israel's objective was to expel the PLO, which had established a stronghold in southern Lebanon and was launching attacks into northern Israel. The invasion also aimed to secure a buffer zone and influence the Lebanese Civil War, which had begun in 1975.

The PLO had established its presence in Lebanon in 1971, after being exiled from Jordan following the Black September conflict, where the Hashemite monarchy, led by King Hussein, sought to suppress the growing influence and militancy of the PLO within its borders. The PLO’s presence in Lebanon, particularly in southern Lebanon and Beirut, significantly contributed to the instability of the country, exacerbating the already volatile situation of the ongoing Lebanese Civil War.^{[citation needed]}

After weeks of heavy fighting between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and PLO fighters, particularly around Beirut, which was besieged by Israeli forces, a negotiated settlement was reached. Under the agreement, brokered by Philip Habib, the PLO leadership and thousands of its fighters were given safe passage out of Beirut and dispersed to several Arab countries, including Tunisia, Yemen, Sudan, and Syria. Yasser Arafat, then leader of the PLO, and his command relocated to Tunis, where the PLO established a new base of operations.

The withdrawal of PLO forces effectively ended its strong presence in Lebanon, marking a significant turning point in the Lebanese Civil War and in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.^{[citation needed]} While the PLO's military presence was removed, the Israeli invasion and subsequent occupation of parts of Lebanon further complicated Lebanon’s political and social landscape, and led to the rise of other militant groups, most notably Hezbollah, which was formed with Iranian support to resist the Israeli occupation.

The aftermath of the PLO's withdrawal also led to several tragic events, including the infamous Sabra and Shatila massacre in September 1982, where Christian Phalangist militias, allied with Israel, killed hundreds of Palestinian refugees in camps in West Beirut, while Israeli forces were accused of complicity by allowing the militias to enter the camps.