**Operation Change of Direction 11**
**Definition:**
Operation Change of Direction 11 was a major Israeli military offensive launched during the 1982 Lebanon War. It aimed to encircle and destroy the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) forces in West Beirut and to secure Israeli strategic objectives in southern Lebanon.
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## Operation Change of Direction 11
Operation Change of Direction 11 (Hebrew: מבצע שינוי כיוון 11, Mivtza Shinui Kivun 11) was a significant military maneuver conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the 1982 Lebanon War. The operation was launched in June 1982 as part of Israel’s broader campaign to expel the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from Lebanon and to establish a more secure northern border. It involved a large-scale armored thrust into Lebanon, aiming to encircle PLO forces entrenched in West Beirut and to cut off their supply and escape routes.
The operation is notable for its ambitious scope, the complex coordination required among various IDF units, and the political and military consequences that followed. Despite initial tactical successes, the operation ultimately failed to achieve its strategic objectives fully, leading to a protracted siege of Beirut and significant international diplomatic pressure.
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## Background
### The 1982 Lebanon War
The 1982 Lebanon War, also known as the First Lebanon War, began on June 6, 1982, when Israel launched a large-scale invasion of southern Lebanon. The primary stated objective was to push the PLO away from Israel’s northern border and to eliminate the threat posed by PLO guerrilla attacks. The conflict was triggered by an assassination attempt on the Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom, which Israel attributed to the PLO, and by ongoing cross-border attacks.
The IDF quickly advanced into southern Lebanon, encountering resistance from PLO fighters and allied Lebanese militias. The war soon expanded beyond southern Lebanon, with Israeli forces moving toward Beirut, where the PLO had established a stronghold.
### Strategic Context
By mid-June 1982, Israeli forces had reached the outskirts of Beirut. The PLO leadership and fighters were concentrated in West Beirut, a densely populated urban area. The Israeli government and military command sought to force the PLO to surrender or evacuate, thereby ending the threat to Israel’s northern border.
Operation Change of Direction 11 was conceived as a decisive maneuver to encircle West Beirut from the south and east, cutting off PLO escape routes and supply lines. The operation was part of a broader strategy to compel the PLO to negotiate or capitulate.
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## Planning and Objectives
### Goals of the Operation
The primary objectives of Operation Change of Direction 11 were:
– To encircle West Beirut by advancing Israeli armored and infantry units into strategic positions south and east of the city.
– To sever PLO supply and communication lines, thereby isolating the fighters.
– To facilitate a rapid conclusion to the siege of Beirut by forcing the PLO to surrender or evacuate.
– To secure key terrain features and prevent the intervention of Syrian forces, who were also active in Lebanon.
### Command and Forces Involved
The operation was planned and executed under the command of General Rafael Eitan, the Chief of Staff of the IDF at the time. The forces involved included several armored brigades, infantry units, artillery, and air support elements.
The IDF’s 162nd Armored Division, under the command of General Avigdor Ben-Gal, played a central role in the operation. The division was tasked with spearheading the armored thrust into Lebanese territory to achieve the encirclement.
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## Execution of the Operation
### Initial Movements
Operation Change of Direction 11 commenced in mid-June 1982. Israeli armored columns advanced northward from positions south of Beirut, moving through difficult terrain and facing sporadic resistance from PLO fighters and allied militias.
The IDF units aimed to capture key towns and road junctions to the south and east of Beirut, including the strategic town of Khalde, which controlled access to the city’s southern approaches.
### Challenges and Resistance
The operation encountered several challenges:
– **Terrain and Urban Environment:** The mountainous and urban terrain complicated the movement of armored units and limited the effectiveness of mechanized warfare.
– **PLO and Militia Resistance:** Although the PLO was under pressure, its fighters and allied Lebanese militias mounted determined resistance, utilizing guerrilla tactics and knowledge of the local terrain.
– **Syrian Intervention:** Syrian forces, present in Lebanon as part of the Arab Deterrent Force, posed a potential threat to Israeli advances. While direct clashes were limited during the operation, the presence of Syrian troops influenced Israeli operational planning.
### Tactical Developments
Israeli forces succeeded in capturing several key positions and towns, tightening the noose around West Beirut. However, the PLO managed to maintain some supply routes and communication lines, preventing a complete encirclement.
The operation also involved intense artillery bombardments and air strikes aimed at weakening PLO defenses and morale.
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## Outcome and Consequences
### Military Results
Operation Change of Direction 11 achieved partial tactical success by advancing Israeli forces into strategic positions around Beirut and disrupting some PLO supply lines. However, it failed to fully encircle West Beirut or force an immediate PLO surrender.
The PLO leadership remained entrenched in the city, leading to a prolonged siege that lasted several weeks. The operation’s limited success contributed to a stalemate, requiring further military and diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
### Political and Diplomatic Impact
The operation and the broader siege of Beirut drew significant international attention and criticism. The heavy fighting and civilian casualties in Beirut led to widespread condemnation and calls for a ceasefire.
Under international pressure, a multinational peacekeeping force was eventually deployed to oversee the evacuation of PLO fighters from Beirut. The PLO leadership agreed to withdraw from Lebanon, ending their military presence in the country.
### Legacy
Operation Change of Direction 11 is remembered as a complex and ambitious military maneuver that highlighted the challenges of urban and guerrilla warfare. It underscored the limitations of conventional military power in achieving political objectives in a densely populated and politically sensitive environment.
The operation also influenced subsequent Israeli military doctrine and Lebanon policy, shaping Israel’s approach to asymmetric warfare and urban combat.
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## Analysis
### Military Assessment
Military analysts have noted that Operation Change of Direction 11 demonstrated both the strengths and weaknesses of the IDF during the 1982 Lebanon War. The operation showcased the IDF’s ability to mobilize and coordinate large armored formations but also revealed difficulties in adapting to urban combat and counterinsurgency challenges.
The failure to achieve a complete encirclement allowed the PLO to negotiate a withdrawal rather than face total destruction, which some Israeli commanders viewed as a missed opportunity.
### Political Considerations
The operation was conducted within a complex political context, with Israeli leadership balancing military objectives against international diplomatic pressures and concerns about Lebanese sovereignty and civilian casualties.
The eventual evacuation of the PLO from Beirut was facilitated by international mediation, illustrating the limits of military force in resolving deeply rooted political conflicts.
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## Conclusion
Operation Change of Direction 11 was a pivotal episode in the 1982 Lebanon War, reflecting the complexities of modern warfare in urban and politically charged environments. While it achieved some tactical gains, the operation fell short of its strategic goals, leading to a protracted siege and significant international involvement.
The operation’s legacy continues to inform military and political analyses of the Lebanon conflict and Israel’s security challenges in the region.
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**Meta Description:**
Operation Change of Direction 11 was a major Israeli military offensive during the 1982 Lebanon War aimed at encircling PLO forces in West Beirut. The operation achieved partial success but ultimately led to a prolonged siege and international diplomatic intervention.