The New Lebanon Crisis

A refugee massacre follows Gemayel's murder and an Israeli occupation.

By William E. Smith Monday, Sept. 27, 1982
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"The Israeli Defense Forces have taken postions in West Beirut to prevent the danger of violence, bloodshed and anarchy."

— Statement by the Israeli Cabinet.

That was the Israeli government's explanation for its decision to send its armed forces into Muslim-dominated West Beirut last week following the assassination of Lebanon's President-elect Bashir Gemayel. The Israeli action alarmed the U.S., which saw it as a violation of a promise the Israelis made this summer to U.S. Special Envoy Philip Habib while he was negotiating the withdrawal of Palestine Liberation Organization...

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