On 'Sabra and Shatila massacre'

The Sabra and Shatila massacre stands as one of the darkest chapters in the tumultuous history of the Middle East. This horrific event, which unfolded over three days in September 1982, resulted in the deaths of hundreds, possibly thousands, of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians. To fully understand the massacre, it is essential to examine the context of the Lebanese Civil War, the involvement of regional and international actors, and the subsequent ramifications of the tragedy.

Historical Context: Lebanon in Turmoil

The Sabra and Shatila massacre occurred during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), a complex and multifaceted conflict involving a wide array of factions, including Lebanese Christians, Sunni and Shia Muslims, Druze, and Palestinians. The war was further complicated by the involvement of external powers such as Israel, Syria, and the United States, each pursuing their own strategic interests in Lebanon.

By the early 1980s, Lebanon had become a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), led by Yasser Arafat, had established a stronghold in southern Lebanon and Beirut, using the territory as a base for launching attacks against Israel. This provoked the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982, spearheaded by then-Defense Minister Ariel Sharon. The stated goal of the invasion, termed “Operation Peace for Galilee,” was to eliminate the PLO's military presence in Lebanon.

The Prelude to the Massacre

By September 1982, the PLO had been expelled from Beirut following a U.S.-brokered agreement that also guaranteed the safety of Palestinian refugees left behind. However, the assassination of Lebanese President-elect Bachir Gemayel on September 14, 1982, created a volatile situation. Gemayel was the leader of the Phalangist militia, a Lebanese Christian faction allied with Israel. His death led to widespread anger and a desire for revenge among his followers.

In the aftermath of Gemayel’s assassination, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) occupied West Beirut, ostensibly to prevent chaos and restore order. Israeli troops surrounded the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps, home to thousands of Palestinian refugees and Lebanese civilians. On September 16, 1982, the IDF allowed Phalangist militiamen to enter the camps to root out what they claimed were PLO “terrorists” who had remained behind.

The Massacre

Over the next 36-48 hours, Phalangist militiamen systematically killed men, women, and children within the camps. Survivors and witnesses reported horrific scenes of violence, including summary executions, rapes, and mutilations. By the time the massacre ended on September 18, hundreds of bodies littered the narrow alleys of Sabra and Shatila. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, ranging from 700 to over 3,000, due to the chaotic nature of the aftermath and the difficulty of conducting an accurate count.

Israeli forces, positioned around the camps, were accused of providing logistical support to the Phalangists and using flares to illuminate the area during the night. While the IDF did not directly participate in the killings, their role in facilitating the massacre and their failure to intervene to stop it led to widespread condemnation.

Global Outcry and the Kahan Commission

News of the massacre sparked outrage around the world. Graphic images and eyewitness accounts circulated widely, leading to protests and demands for accountability. In Israel, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, culminating in the largest protest in the country’s history at the time, known as the “400,000 March.”

In response to public pressure, the Israeli government established the Kahan Commission to investigate the events. The commission’s report, released in 1983, found that the Phalangists were directly responsible for the killings but held Israel indirectly responsible for failing to prevent the massacre. The report criticized several senior Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Ariel Sharon, who was found to bear “personal responsibility” for ignoring the potential for violence. Sharon was forced to resign as Defense Minister, although he remained a prominent figure in Israeli politics and later became Prime Minister.

The Legacy of the Massacre

The Sabra and Shatila massacre left a lasting scar on the collective memory of the Middle East. For Palestinians, it became another symbol of their enduring suffering and displacement. For Lebanon, it underscored the devastating impact of sectarian divisions and external interference in its internal affairs. The massacre also had significant implications for Israel, tarnishing its international reputation and fueling debates about the moral responsibilities of its military actions.

In the years following the massacre, survivors and human rights organizations sought justice through legal avenues. In 2001, a Belgian court opened a case against Ariel Sharon under the country’s universal jurisdiction law for war crimes, although the case was later dismissed due to diplomatic pressures.

Broader Implications

The Sabra and Shatila massacre is emblematic of the broader challenges of accountability and justice in conflict zones. Despite extensive documentation of the atrocities, those responsible for the killings have largely evaded justice. The massacre highlights the complexities of assigning culpability in situations involving multiple actors, blurred lines of responsibility, and competing political interests.

The massacre also underscores the vulnerability of civilian populations in times of war. The refugees in Sabra and Shatila were unarmed and defenseless, relying on international guarantees for their safety—guarantees that ultimately proved hollow. The events serve as a grim reminder of the failure of the international community to protect vulnerable populations and prevent atrocities.

Conclusion

The Sabra and Shatila massacre remains a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the perils of unchecked violence. It serves as a somber case study in the consequences of political and military decisions, as well as the enduring need for accountability and justice. As the Middle East continues to grapple with its many challenges, the lessons of Sabra and Shatila must not be forgotten. Only by acknowledging and addressing the past can the region hope to build a more just and peaceful future.