The second development, the intervention of Israeli armed forces in the southern part of Lebanon in March 1978, qualifies as an international armed conflict accompanied by occupation. The approaches made by the ICRC to the Israeli Government were aimed in particular at reminding that government of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Without taking a position on the legal aspect of the situation, the Israeli authorities stated that they were willing to grant all practical facilities to the ICRC delegates to enable them to accomplish their mission in southern Lebanon.