Qibya massacre: Encyclopedia II - Qibya massacre - Results

Qibya massacre - Results

Initially, via the media, the Israeli public was left unaware of the attack. On October 19, Ben-Gurion claimed that the raid had been carried out by Israeli civilians.

"None deplores it more than the Government of Israel, if ... innocent blood was spilled ... The Government of Israel rejects with all vigor the absurd and fantastic allegation that 600 men of the IDF took part in the action ... We have carried out a searching investigation and it is clear beyond doubt that not a single army unit was absent from its base on the night of the attack on Qibya." (Statement by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, ISA FM 2435/5)

The attack had far-reaching consequences. It was widely criticized, not only by the international community, but also by many Israelis themselves. The UN Security Council condemned Israel in a resolution on November 24, and the United States temporarily suspended economic aid to Israel. Many Muslims see the raid as an act of terrorism.

Ariel Sharon wrote in his autobiography that, although the civilian casualties were regrettable, after the Qibya operation "it was now clear that Israeli forces were again capable of finding and hitting targets far behind enemy lines." Following the attack, the Arab Legion forces deployed on the border segment near Qibya to stop further infiltrations and deter further Israeli incursions. There was a brief overall reduction in incursions along the border.

Following the attack, the Israeli leadership decided to refrain from directly targeting civilians. It was decided furthermore to cancel the independence of Unit 101, which however continued to participate in retaliatory attacks against military targets as a part of the 202nd Paratroop Brigade.

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