Following years of growing tensions and mutual provocations, in June 1982 Israel launched an all-out invasion of Lebanon. During the night from 5 to 6 June 1982, four armoured divisions of the Israeli Defence Force moved into starting positions near the border with Lebanon, while a force of paratroopers was embarked on amphibious assault ships. Looking forward to engaging the enemy, the Israelis then crossed the border late on the morning of 6 June, and promptly became involved in the bitter battle of Tyre, landings at Awali, and the highly-symbolic assault on Beaufort Castle.
The next day saw a further intensification of combat, with the Israelis securing Tyre and then attacking Sidon, and clashing with the Syrian armed forces for the first time in years.