In June 1982, the IDF entered Lebanon. In contrast to the open spaces of Sinai, the armored formations operated in mountainous terrain, on narrow roads and inside villages and towns. The forces faced ambushes, IEDs, anti-tank missiles, and fighting against PLO terrorists, who operated among the civilian population.

 

The armored formations led the advance deep into Lebanon on four main axes, participating in battles against Syrian forces in the Lebanon Valley and reaching as far as the Beirut area. The terrain limited freedom of maneuver and demonstrated the need for close cooperation with infantry and engineering, in securing the axes and protecting the tanks from anti-tank squads.

 

This war saw the first use of the Merkava Mark 1 tank in a large-scale campaign. It was the operational debut of a tank developed and manufactured in Israel, and it allowed the concept of protection and survivability on which it was based to be tested on the battlefield. The experience gained in Lebanon influenced the development of the following generations - the Merkava Mark 2, 3 and 4.