Occupation of South Lebanon
1978 - 2000

Background, Documents, Articles, Photos & Caricatures

by Omayya Joha

  Background

For many years, the Israeli occupation of South Lebanon had been viewed in the context of the security of the Zionist entity's northern border. This claim, which was adopted by Israel's allies and mimicked by most of the world media channels, illustrates the magnitude of the Zionists influence in shaping the world’s opinion regarding the struggle in the Middle East in general and particularly in Lebanon.

The Zionists interests in Lebanon date back to the beginning of their colonization project in late 19^th century. In the process of drawing the maps of their alleged entity, the Zionists aimed at a northern border that runs along the Litani river in Lebanon. (Read more about this!)

It comes as no surprise, thus, that the first stage of their occupation of the South, in March 1978, was named “The Litani Operation.”

The Litani river is one of the few major rivers in the middle east that runs entirely within one country. It’s 100% Lebanese. Yet, the Lebanese governments, for more than three decades, failed to find an international organization that agreed on financing the utilization of the river for irrigation and power generation. Directly and indirectly, the Zionists sabotaged the development of the “Litani Project” only because their eyes were never off its water. (Read "Water Issues in the Arab-Israeli Conflict")

Furthermore, turning Lebanon into a commercial hub and market for the Israeli products has also been one of the most sought after Zionists goals ("The Real Israeli Interest in Lebanon" by Israel Shahak)

And now, contrary to its claim that it had withdrawn its occupying army from the South, Israel still occupies many parts of the Lebanese territories. One of these areas includes part of the Wazzani river, a small river that runs along the border, from which the Zionists are openly pumping the water toward their colonies south of the border. Other Lebanese areas still occupied by the Israelis are the Shebaa Farms, in which they have planned to build a settlement for the Ethiopian Jews, called Falasha Moro.

While Israel admits that the Shebaa Farms had been "stolen/captured" by force since 1967, it argues that they belong to Syria. Syrian government informed the United Nations on many occasions that these farms are Lebanese. Yet, the "New World Order", instead of ordering the thief to surrender what it admits it stole, blatantly supports the theft! (Arabic - "Occupied Shebaa Farms between international laws and politics") 

Moreover, the Zionists, throughout their occupation, had kidnapped 19 Lebanese citizens, transferred them to prisons inside the Zionist entity, tortured them, and kept them as hostages in violation to all international laws. Some of those hostages have been in detention for more than 15 years. (Read an Israeli opinion)

For the sake of our people's freedom, we will do everything we could. We Promise!

It is utter naivety to expect that, even if the Israeli occupation is completed tomorrow and our prisoners are back to their families, the strategic threat that this pariah state imposes on Lebanon, as well as on the entire Arab World, no longer exists. After more than 30,000 dead, 120,000 injured and disabled, a destruction that needs generations to overcome and rebuild, and over half a million Lebanese who permanently immigrated due to this occupation (more than 42,000 from Bint Jbeil alone!), are we to lay down the arms and embrace the killers as if nothing happened???

We are not war lovers. Our goals are very simple and common to every man in this world: Freedom, Dignity, Justice, and Peace. For this we will fight, and this what we will get !

  UN Resolutions

Click Here for a list of all the UN Resolutions regarding the Israeli aggression against Lebanon for over 30 years.