Two decades after the end of Israels occupation of southern Lebanon, Israeli troops who took part in the operation are still dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dark memories of the conflict, a report says.
The troops, at a recent military march in Tel Aviv, told media outlets that they had been denied support for PTSD and other effects left by the conflict as the regime does not officially consider its 1982-2000 occupation of southern Lebanon as a war.
"They were sent to psychiatric hospitals, which is not appropriate," 50-year-old Avi Maier, who conducted multiple operations in southern Lebanon, was quoted as saying, the Times of Israel reported.
Maier is now seeking to establish a support center for former soldiers suffering from PTSD, together with Oshrit Shtark, whose brother Erez died along with 72 others when two Israeli military choppers collided en route to Lebanon.
"These are people who saw death close up, their friends dying, or got wounded - for them life is not simple," Shtark said.
Israel first invaded Lebanon in March 1978 before withdrawing in June.
Four years later, Israeli troops invaded again, besieging the Lebanese capital, Beirut, before eventually retreating to a ‘security zone in the south of the country.
By the end of 1982, the operation had left 20,000 dead and 30,000 wounded, according to an official Lebanese report.
In southern Lebanon, the troops were confronted by Hezbollah fighters, who valiantly fought the invaders. More than 1,200 Israeli soldiers were killed during the 18 years of occupation, and thousands more were wounded.
The mounting Israeli death toll and confusion about the purpose of the occupation, which some labeled ‘Israels Vietnam, led the then Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, to pledge to withdraw in 2000.
On the night of May 23-24, 2000, the final Israeli convoy crossed the occupied Palestinian frontier, sparking joyous celebrations in southern Lebanon.
The 20th anniversary of the withdrawal comes against the backdrop of tensions because of repeated Israeli violations of the Lebanese airspace and other provocations, including frequent attacks on Hezbollah fighters battling foreign-backed terrorists in Syria.
In a message to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun Sunday, Irans President Hassan Rouhani offered his congratulations to Lebanons government and nation on the anniversary of the "major and glorious victory" against the Zionist occupiers.
Hezbollah was established following the 1982 Israeli invasion and occupation of southern Lebanon. Since then, the movement has grown into a powerful military force, dealing repeated blows to the Israeli military, including during a 33-day war in July 2006.
A new video has been published on social media showing a special unit of Hezbollah forces going through tough military training to boost their preparedness for any possible confrontation with Israeli forces.
The video, depicting Hezbollahs ‘Rizwan special forces unit, was released on the anniversary of the liberation of southern Lebanon.
SOURCE: PRESS TV
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/17880
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