Terror is used to focus international attention on the guerrilla cause , liquidate opposition leaders , extort cash from targets , intimidate the general population , create economic losses , and keep followers and potential defectors in line . The widespread use of terror by guerrillas and their opponents is a common feature of modern guerrilla conflicts , with civilians attempting to mollify both sides . At times , a civil population may be the main targets of guerrilla attacks , as in Palestinian operations against Israeli civilians , or Israeli & local allies operations against Palestinian refugee civilians during the Lebanon conflict like the Sabra and Shatila massacre . Such tactics may backfire and cause the civil population to withdraw its support or to back countervailing forces against the guerrillas
Sabra and Shatila massacre
Sabra and Shatila massacre
Low-intensity conflict