GAZA STRIP INTRUSION CLAIMED BY EGYPT

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 13

GAZA STRIP INTRUSION CLAIMED BY EGYPT

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) CAIRO, May 26. Egypt claimed today that an Israeli patrol tried to cross the border of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night, but was repulsed by a Palestinian force.

A United Arab Republic spokesman said Egypt considered this a provocative act by Israel.

The Egyptian charge was made soon after the United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant, flew from Cairo after his two-day mission to try to ease tension in the crisis area.

Before leaving yesterday, U Thant had a second meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Mr Mahmoud Riad. He had talks with President Nasser over dinner in what was described as a cordial atmosphere. Israeli Denial

In Tel Aviv, an Israeli spokesman denied the Egyptian claim and said no Israeli patrol had crossed, or tried to cross, the Gaza Strip boundary.

An Egyptian military spokesman said Israeli patrols were “attempting to infiltrate” across the demarcation line at Deir al Balah in the Gaza sector where 3400 United Nations troops of the defunct Middle East peace-

keeping force are awaiting transport home. The Palestine Liberation Armjr is a group of followers of Ahmed Shukeiry, the fiery leader of the Palestine liberation organisation, who has vowed to destroy Israel. He also has tried to overthrow King Hussein of Jordan. The United Arab Republic spokesman said the Palestine Liberation Army men forced the Israelis to retreat into Israeli territory. , Leaflets Left

Explosives, believed to have been planted by a Syrianbacked terrorist organisation, yesterday caused two blasts in Israel’s Jenin area near the Jordanian border, but caused no damage or injuries.

An Army spokesman said that the first charge went off under a bridge, and the second under a water culvert nearby. He said neither caused any damage. The spokesman said a third charge was found and dismantled. Leaflets of the “El Assifa” terrorist organisation were left near the scene of

the explosions and in one case the tracks of a man were found leading to the Jordanian border, about four miles away. The incidents followed a period of relative inactivity by “El Assifa" and other terrorist organisations since the beginning of the present crisis.