Israel allegedly finds huge arms stockpile in Lebanon

July 19, 1982

Israeli forces uncovered enough arms in Lebanon to equip a 100,000-man army, raising speculation that the Soviet Union stockpiled weapons for military intervention in the Mideast, The Observer newspaper said.

It said Soviet officials, headed by Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, three years ago promised Cuban troops - if needed - to Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat. The Observer said this information came from disclosures by Israeli Industry, Commerce, and Tourism Minister Gideon Patt on a visit to London.

Reports from Tiberias, Israel, said the area was rocked with explosions Sunday. Local police said the blasts came from an ammunition dump to which Israeli forces brought ammunition from Palestinian guerrilla bases in Lebanon.