On 10 July 1981 Israel attacked terrorist bases in Lebanon. The P.L.O. retaliated with a katyusha salvo on Kiryat Shmona. Two days later Israeli planes attacked P.L.0. positions south of Beirut. A Syrian plane was shot down on 14 July. A day later, P.L.0. terrorists opened katyusha and artillery fire on Israeli settlements along the entire northern border. In recent months there has been a massive build-up of P.L.O forces bolstered by large quantities of artillery. These weapons were supplied by Libya and a number of Eastern European countries. In addition to artillery, the P.L.O. obtained and positioned in the area under their control in southern Lebanon tanks, anti-aircraft weapons, katyushas and auxiliary equipment. On 16 July Israel retaliated by attacking bases and commando posts. On 17 July the Israeli air force launched an air strike on P.L.O. headquarters in downtown Beirut. In the attack a number of civilians were killed and Israel was condemned by the United States, Egypt and other nations. Following is a statement issued by the Prime Minister's bureau explaining the background for the air strike. This became necessary as the U.S. again suspended the delivery of F-16 jets scheduled for August. Text:
During all the years of our operations which were essentially defensive - against terrorist bases in Lebanon, all branches of the Israel Defense Forces refrained from hitting the civilian population. Their fire was aimed only at military targets of the terrorists.
The terrorist organizations always acted in the very contrary fashion. They directed their attacks exclusively against the civilian population of Israel - men, women and children - whether by incursions or katyusha rocket and artillery fire.
On Wednesday, July 15, the terrorist organizations launched a massive attack against the civilian population in a large number of Israeli centers. Three of our citizens were murdered and twenty-five were injured. Without a doubt, the terrorists' intention was to murder scores of Israeli civilians.
Under no circumstances will we tolerate such attacks and their consequences.
Now, too, we will not intentionally direct our fire against the civilian population. We shall, however, continue to attack terrorist bases and headquarters, even if they are purposefully located in the vicinity of or within civilian concentrations. Responsibility shall fall on those who seek immunity for themselves by knowingly endangering civilians. We shall give the enemy no rest until we have put an end to his bloody rampage and peace shall reign between Israel and Lebanon.