ARMISTICE IN PALESTINE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25739, 26 February 1949, Page 7

ARMISTICE IN PALESTINE

“Diplomatic Victory For Israel”

EXPECTATIONS IN TEL AVIV (N.Z Press Association»-Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 25. The terms of the Israel-Egyptian armistice are officially regarded in Tel Aviv as a great Israeli diplomatic victory. Reporting this last night, the Tel Aviv correspondent of “The Times” added: “Half the Negeb is now looked on as part of Israel, and the other half is confidently expected to be included in the Jewish State if agreement is reached in the armistice talks with.Transjordan, which are due to begin on February 28.” Reuter’s correspondent says that the Israeli-Egyptian armistice agreement gives the Jews control of almost the entire Negeb desert. One of the most significant features of the agreement is the absence of specific mention of Beersheba, which means that the Israelis have unrestricted control of the town. The Egyptians in the early stages of the armistice talks wanted the Jews to evacuate the town entirely. A broad view of the agreement shows that the present positions in Southern Palestine are virtually frozen, with the Egyptians retaining possession of the coastal strip from the Egyptian border to just north of Gaza. Egypt is given control of the Gaza strip from the border to Deir Suneid, which is 10 miles north-east of Gaza. The breadth of the strip is from the coastline to two miles east of the main road from Gaza to Egypt. The main effect of this delineation is that Israeli troops will have to withdraw from Beit Hanun, midway between Deir Suneid and Gaza. They will also have to make lesser withdrawals to straighten their line within four weeks of to-day. The Egyptian forces in the Bethle-hem-Hebron area, which is under Transjordan command, will withdraw across the Egyptian border under United Nations supervision. The agreement allows Israel to keep troops in the Eastern Negeb facing Transjordan, pending a settlement in the Transjordan armistice talks which are due to begin on February 28. Both sides are allowed to keep “defensive forces” only in the Western Negeb. They are not allowed to maintain any air landing grounds of any description. No naval bases are allowed in these areas, nor are any warships allowed to enter adjoining territorial waters. El Auja, the Negeb town on the Egyptian border which was captured by the Israelis, is designated a demilitarised area and it is to be the headquarters of the Armistice Commission which will supervise the implementation of the armistice. The commission will have seven members—three Egyptian, three Israeli, and a chairman. General William Riley, Chief of Staff to the Acting Mediator (Dr. Ralphe Bunche). The commission will give rulings on complaints, from each side, and will also interpret any disputed parts of the armistice agreement.