Following years of growing tensions, in June 1982 Israel launched an all-out invasion of Lebanon. Following initial advances on Palestinian-controlled Tyre and Sidon, Beaufort Castle, and the amphibious landing at Awali, on 8 June 1982 the Israeli Defence Force initiated operations against the Syrian armed forces deployed in southern-central Lebanon. What were initially minor firefights for Jezzine and Ein Zehalta developed into major armour battles in which Syrian Gazelle helicopters took a heavy toll of Israeli armour. The following battles of Ein el-Hilweh, Khalde, and Kfar Sil are remembered by participants from all parties for their ferocity and the relentless resistance of Palestinian and Syrian combatants.

Finding no other solution, on 9 June 1982 the Israelis initiated Operation Mole Cricket 19, aiming to destroy the integrated air defence system of the Syrian Arab Air Force and the Syrian Arab Air Defence Force deployed in eastern-central Lebanon. On the ground, the Israeli and Syrian armies clashed in a major battle at Lake Qaroun, which soon expanded all the way to the Syrian border.

On the other side of the country, the Israeli forces fought their way to Beirut Airport. In a headlong rush for the crucial road connecting Beirut and Damascus, on 10 and 11 June an Israeli armoured battalion advanced on the village of Sultan Yacoub, provoking an epic battle. Finally, on 11 June 1982, the Israelis exacted revenge of a sort when their units, equipped with US-made BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missiles, ambushed Syrian armour at Jebel Barouch.