Regional events were to decide the fate of Lebanon far from local Lebanese politics. Indeed, the failure of the Israeli operation in Karameh (Jordan) on 29 March 1968 catapulted overnight the activity of the Palestinian armed wing in Lebanon and turned its members into undeniable heroes in the eyes of the Muslim population in Lebanon. This was after the Six Day War, after the crushing defeat of the Arab armies by Israel. For the first time, it seemed that Israel had found its opponent. The Palestinians, until then considered pariahs, had taken on the role of defender of Arab rights against Israel.