Heavy Attack On Jaffa

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1948, Page 5

Heavy Attack On Jaffa

Jewish Terrorists On 3-Mile Front

LONDON, Sun. (11 a.m.). —The Jewish terrorist organisation Irgun Zvai Leumi this morning began an all-out attack on the predominently Arab city of Jaffa, which adjoins Tel Aviv. The attack has resulted in an advance on a three-mile front from the beaches to the Jaffa-Jerusalem road into the Arab quarter of Manshief. The attack was launched under cover of the biggest mortar barrage yet used in the Arab-Jewish battle for Palestine.

The Jews attacked when they thought the strength of the British garrison, which is withdrawing steadily, was at its lowest. Irgun claims that its forces overcame fierce resistance from Arab machine-gun nests and captured Manshief police station, which the British evacuated last week. A pitched battle was- fought in the region of Jaffa railway station, which Irgun claimed that they have now captured. Arabs on the southern outskirts of Tel Aviv opened fire with mortars on Haganah troops as a reprisal for the Jaffa attack. THREE-HOUR TRUCE A British warship anchored f.n Tel Aviv as merchant ships left Jaffa with refugees. A heavy Arab evacuation of Jaffa is now under way. Both sides observed a three-hour truce this afternoon for the evacuation of women and children. The battle then resumed. Irgun forces, after a swift initial advance, are now meeting fiercer resistance. Haganah forces shelled the Arab quarter of Sheik Jarrah, a suburb of Jerusalem, for five hours today as their troops occupied the village of Nashaehibi, on the main road to Ramallah. British troops in 40 armoured cars went in to oust the Haganah force after the Jews refused use of the Ramallah road to Arab traffic. British Army authorities proclaimed martial law in the Arab quarter of Shiek Jarrah. after driving out the attacking Haganah force, because the fighting threatened the British withdrawal route on the‘Jerusalem-Nablus road. The Tel Aviv correspondent of the Associated Press reports that Ihe British have withdrawn from Lydda airport. AIRLINES HALTED Arab forces from the neighbouring stronghold villages of Lydda and Ramie immediately occupied it. Commercial airline representatives in Cairo announced that all flights to Palestine have been suspended following the British withdrawal from Lydda airport. Three British soldiers were killed in a train wreck resulting from rail sabotage near Ramie. A Beirut message reports that 9000 Arab refugees arrived there yesterday from Haifa. Moslems and Christians are accommodating and feeding them. In Jerusalem the authorities Iranshipped 785 illegal Jewish'immigrants from a ship which the Royal Navy intercepted to a British transport for deportation to Cyprus. «ARAB AGREEMENT It is learned that Arab military and political leaders, who are meeting in Amman, reached full agreement for cooperation between the armies of Arab League member states in defence of and entry into Palestine, says Reuters Baghdad correspondent. Arab officials stated that the Arab League had decided to give King Abdullah of Transjordan command of the Arab Liberation Army. The Army’s headquarters in that case would be moved from Damascus to Amman, capital of Transjordan. Representatives of the Arab nations have been meeting in Amman to take positive decisions about sending national forces into Palestine. Ismail Safwat Pasha, Commander-in-Chief of the volunteer Liberation Army, said it could not save the situation. EXPLOSIVES THROWN During student demonstrations in Beirut demanding the intervention of organised Arab armies, an explosive was thrown in the Jewish quarter, causing considerable damage. Other attacks were made on Jewish shops. The United Nations Security Council last night set up a truce commis-

sion to press once more for peace in Palestine. It was given the specific task of “supervising the implementation by the parties” of the Council’s cease-fire order of April 17, which so far has been ignored by the Jews and Arabs. The commission will be composed of the consular representatives of the United States, France and Belgium in Jerusalem. It will thus be ready to begin work immediately in the Holy Land. Tite United States, France and Belgium agreed that they would appoint three representatives to work on the truce in New York while their consuls worked in Palestine.

Fit And Wei!

WELLINGTON, Mon. (P.A.)—Dr Jeseph, a surgeon, formerly of New Zealand, reported killed by Arabs in .Palestine, has since cabled his relatives here saying he is fit and well.