21 март 1968 г. - Battle of Karameh

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The Battle of Karameh, which took place on March 21, 1968, was a pivotal 15-hour military engagement between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the combined forces of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) in the Jordanian border town of Karameh. This battle occurred during the War of Attrition and was part of a broader Israeli effort to target PLO camps and leaders.

Background: After Jordan lost control of the West Bank to Israel in 1967, Palestinian fighters, known as fedayeen, relocated their bases to Jordan, with Karameh becoming a significant headquarters. Israel aimed to destroy these fedayeen camps and capture PLO leader Yasser Arafat as a reprisal. Additionally, Israel sought to punish Jordan for its support of the fedayeen. The IDF launched a large-scale attack supported by fighter jets, expecting Jordanian forces to stay uninvolved. However, the Jordanian Army, deploying heavy artillery, and Palestinian guerrillas engaged in fierce resistance.

The Battle: At dawn on March 21, Israeli forces attacked Karameh from multiple directions. Despite their initial success in capturing the town and destroying much of the PLO camp, they faced significant resistance from Jordanian troops and Palestinian fighters. The Jordanians and Palestinians managed to inflict considerable casualties on the Israelis, who were eventually forced to withdraw. The battle marked the first known deployment of suicide bombers by Palestinian fighters. The United Nations Security Council issued Resolution 248, condemning Israel for its actions.

Aftermath: While Israel achieved its tactical goal of destroying the PLO camp, the battle had significant political repercussions. Jordan and the PLO claimed victory, as they had managed to inflict substantial casualties on the Israelis and gain international recognition. The battle was celebrated in the Arab world, with Fatah gaining a boost in recruitment and political support. However, it also intensified tensions between the fedayeen and the Jordanian authorities, leading to the events of Black September in 1970, when Palestinian groups were expelled from Jordan.

The Battle of Karameh is remembered as a significant event in the Palestinian struggle for statehood and had lasting impacts on regional politics. It showcased the growing capability of Palestinian fighters and highlighted the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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