On 30 July 1982 Foreign Minister Shamir left for Europe and the U.S. where he was due to meet with the new Secretary of State, George Shultz. Defense Minister Sharon feared that the P.L.0. was dragging its feet, and that Ambassador Habib was too slow in obtaining an arrangement to expel them from west Beirut. In a number of meetings. Sharon accused Habib of inept diplomacy and the tendency to believe the P.L.O. leadership was sincere. When Habib informed him of the possibility that the P.L.0. would be withdrawn by air, from Beirut's international airport, he objected. He then devised a new strategy. The I. D. F would take limited objectives in Beirut, tightening the noose around the P.L.O., but heeding the U.S. demand that Israel does not enter west Beirut. On 1 August Israeli aircraft carried out 127 bombing sorties over Beirut and the I.D.F seized the international airport. Following is the text of the I.D.F. spokesman's announcement:
The I.D.F. spokesman announced in Jerusalem that at first light this morning the terrorists resumed firing at I.D.F. forces in the Beirut sector. Our forces are at present returning heavy tank and artillery fire at terrorist objectives, supported by aircraft and naval vessels.
Terrorist targets shelled included artillery emplacements, ammunition dumps and P.L.O. headquarters in the southern part of the city. The I.D.F. spokesman noted that since the last cease-fire came into effect on Wednesday, 28 July, and despite repeated warnings by Israel, the P.L.O. has consistently violated it by firing mortars, Katyushas and Saeger missiles at I.D.F. positions in the Beirut sector.
On Friday night, after the I.D.F. ceased fire, the P.L.O. continued firing at Israeli forces, wounding two I.D.F. soldiers. The I.D.F. spokesman noted that Israeli forces did not return fire in this sector. In the eastern and central sectors, terrorists attacked Israeli forces with bazooka and small arms fire and attempted to infiltrate the Kafr Amik area. It may be recalled that in an encounter with I.D.F. forces one terrorist was killed and the remaining members of the terrorist squad trying to infiltrate fled eastward.
The I.D.F. in the beginning took pains to observe the cease-fire strictly and did not respond to the many repeated terrorist violations. However, given the increasing number of violations, the spokesman stresses that the I.D.F. does not consider itself obligated to continue its strict adherence to a unilateral cease-fire.
At this time Israeli fire is continuing.