Summary In 1982 Isreal tired of the tit for tat PLO attacks on civilian targets in northern Israel and invaded their stronghold in Lebanon. The major combat phase is chronicled in detail as Israli forces drove PLO guerrillas north and then engaged Syrian forces decimating their air force and SAM defenses and causing major losses in tanks and infantry. Ariel Sharon drew criticism internally and internationally by exceeding his stated goal of driving the PLO 40 miles north of the Israel Lebanon border and went on to surround Beirut. PLO and Syrian forces drew heavy international criticism for the pervasive use of civilians as human shields as suggested by their soviet allies.

• Documentary