Why did the civil war in Lebanon start in 1975?

Answer 1

Answer 1

It's a long complex story, but to make it short, the Palestinians, after being kicked out of their home land, had received armor to fight back, but instead they resided in Lebanon and had more influence and support by a few Lebanese parties. So they decided to take over Lebanon instead. Consequently the war broke out between the Lebanese who resisted this occupation and the Palestinians and their supporters.

Answer 2

The causes of the Lebanese Civil War included, but were not limited to:

1. The rising percentage of Shiite Muslims and sinking percentage of Maronite Christians and the Shiites wanting more power.
2. The arrival of Palestinian Militant Organizations like the PLO fleeing Jordan after King Hussein's Black September who brought unrest and chaos with them.
3. The languishing, horrible conditions of the vast numbers of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon.
4. The increasing militancy and radicalization of the Maronite Christian minority.
5. The increasing Syrian support of Shiite Paramilitary Groups

Israel entered the Lebanese Civil War on account of the following two reasons:

1. Palestinian Paramilitary Organizations began to rain rockets down on Northern Israel in an attempt to goad Israel to enter the Lebanese Civil War. The PLO believed that such an entry would unite the Shiites and Sunnis behind one banner to repel the Israelis. The Union did not form, but Israel did retaliate by crossing the border and hunting down the PLO.
2. Christian Falangists, with whom Israel quickly allied, promised Israel a longer term ceasefire and more amicable relations in the future. Israel wanted a chance at peace with Lebanon and therefore supported those who would advocate for this.