ARAB ISRAEL WAR - 1948-1949

Above: Map of Israel in 1948 - 1949

{mosimage}Civil war broke out in Palestine following the declaration of Partition by the United Nations. During its course, the Jews consolidated their control on their assigned part of Palestine. During this period some of Arabs of Palestine suddenly became refugees. Many left the Jewish areas of their own accord, some were encouraged to leave by other Arabs and some were coerced to leave by the Jews.

Above: picture of Soldier killed during the war

On May 14th all the neighboring Arab states attacked Israel. In the course of the subsequent months Israel managed to repulse those armies but at a great cost. Over 6,000 Israelis were killed during the War of Independence

The declaration of Independence led to the invasion of Israel by the combined armed might of the neighboring Arab states. At that point Israel had 30,000 troops with negligible armor or heavy equipments. Its Air Force consisted of a few Piper Clubs. Later however the picture changed but the Arabs were still held an overwhelming advantage.

The Arabs converged from all sides. Lebanon seized Malkiyah border, Syria attacked the area around the Sea of Galilee and advanced on Kibbutz Degania, from where they had to however retreat. Iraq attacked across River Jordan near Besian town but they too had to withdraw, and take up defensive positions in Samaria.

The real threat was Egypt. One column headed for the Negev Desert hoping to reach Jerusalem via the Hebron Hills. Another column advanced along the coast towards Tel Aviv. For five tensed days the army was held up by the brave defense of Kfar Kordechai. Next they encountered but had to bypass Kibbutz Negba. Nevertheless Egyptian armies marched up to present-day Ashdod and pause. On 29th May counter offensive action by Israel put an end to Egyptian ambitions on Tel Aviv.

Above: Arab Legions - armed and ready

The Arab Legion of Jordan, consisting of the cream of the Arab army and commanded by experienced British officers, was another invading force. Fortunately for Israel the Legion, with only 4,500 troops was relatively small. It was hoped that secret negotiations between the Jewish agency and the Hashamite King Abdullah would keep the Legion out of the war. But in the end the King had to join so as not to make his position in the Arab world untenable. On the day of declaration of Israel’s Independence, the Legion captured Jewish settlements in the Etzion Block located between Hebron and Bethlehem. The main prize however was Jerusalem. On 28th May the outnumbered and less equipped defenders surrendered the ancient Jewish quarters of the city. Western Jerusalem was defended successfully although under a virtual siege. Hunger, thirst and lack of arms plagued the citizens. The coastal road had been blocked from the start of the war when the Legion had occupied Latrun fortress, having taken it from the British. Strategically situated Latrun overlooked the road to Jerusalem at the point of its ascent into the hills from the plains. Control of Latrun meant control of Jerusalem road. Starting from 25th May repeated Israeli attempts to capture the fort failed. Fortunately an American (member of the Volunteers from Overseas) Colonel David Marcus discovered a narrow path to Jerusalem. Hastily widening it into a crude road the Israelis were just in time to relieve the siege of Jerusalem before effectuation of the first truce.

Mutual exhaustion led to cessation of fighting. It was mediated by Swedish count Bernadette. Under the terms of the truce neither side was to reinforce. But as expected soon both resumed hostilities. During cease-fire a ship full of arms purchased by the Irgun arrived. When Irgun wanted to retain some for its own use, Israel’s Prime Minister Ben Gurion ordered forcible seizure of the ship. Civil war was averted but ultimately the Israel Defense Force (IDF) became the only legitimate arms bearing force in Israel.

Above: Israel’s state after the Israel - Arab War in the year 1948 - 1949

Just before expiry of the truce Egyptian attack on Kibbutz Negba was repulsed. Moreover the IDF made some gains in the Negev. Major successes were the capture of Arab cities of Ramla and Lod in the heart of the new nation as well as Nazareth and Galilee areas that hitherto had been in Arab hands. Israel’s policy to wards the Arabs till now was mixed but henceforth they were encouraged to be taken to the Legion lines in trucks.

During the second cease-fire Bernadette proposed the giving of entire Galilee to Israel and Negev desert to the Arabs. Jerusalem was to be internationalized. Both parties rejected the plan. Bernadette was assassinated in Jerusalem by the Jewish extremists on 17th September 1948.

Above: Egyptian Army in Sinai

Equipped with modern aircraft and vehicles Israel quickly captured key Egyptian positions, captured Beersheba in the Negev and soon opened the road to Eilat in the southern tip. A large Egyptian army was surrounded but refused to surrender. Israel marched as far as El Arish in the Sinai. But when Israel shot down five Egyptian planes in a single dogfight Britain threatened to intervene. Israel troops now had to pull back.

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