WARFARE IS RENEWED IN PALESTINE

Grey River Argus, 18 October 1948, Page 3

WARFARE IS RENEWED IN PALESTINE

By Jews and Egyptians U.N.O. Order Ignored (Rec. 10.45). LONDON, October 16. The Israeli authorities have refused to comply with the United Nations request for a cease fire in Negev, in southern Palestine, says Reuter’s correspondent at Tel Aviv.

The Associated Press correspondent at Paris says: The United Nations has announced that an order for a cease fire was given by BrigadierGeneral Riley, the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Observers. He ordered the forces of both sides to return to the positions held by them on'Thursday. United Nations investigators have left Haifa to-day for Tel Aviv to investigate the Jewish side of the front. The investigators returned yesterday from Gaza, after investigating the Egyptian side. The Jewish Government in its reply refused to accept a cease fire. The reply alleges Egvptian attacks on Jewish settlements, and an attack op a Jewish colony yesterday. It says it cannot order a cease fire until it obtains guarantees from the United Nations Chief of Staff that traffic to and from Negev will be allowed, and that Egyptian attacks shall cease. Israeli forces in the Negev district claim to have cut the Egyptian lines of communication.

According to reports reaching Tel Aviv, three Egyptian bases, Gaza, Tel el Arish, and Majdal have been attacked twice by Jews during the last twelve hours.

An Israeli spokesman said: “We are determined to open up the Negev corridor”.

An Israeli communique claimed that Arab troops were trying to advance on Jewish positions round Mount Zion, but were thrown back early to-day. It said that Arabs began to attack last night under cover of mortar and machine-gun fire.