SYRIAN AND LEBANESE ARMED FORCES INVADE NORTHERN PALESTINE

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 May 1948, Page 5

SYRIAN AND LEBANESE ARMED FORCES INVADE NORTHERN PALESTINE

BRITISH ARMY ORDERED TO HOLD JAFFA AT ALL COSTS

(N.Z.P.A.jf Copyright.) Reed. 8.30 p.m. London, May 2. Armed forces of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Transjordan are reported to have entered Palestine. In Tel Aviv yesterday the Haganah High Headquarters announced that Syrian and Lebanese armed forces invaded northern Palestine at dawn and heavily attacked four Jewish settlements. In Cairo the Arab News Agency stated that Iraq and Transjordan forces also entered Palestine.

The Syrian Foreign Minister, speaking in Beirut, ( denied that Syrian forces invaded Palestine, but Haganah headquarters insist that Syrian and Lebanese regulars crossed the border from the north.

ITie Haganah said the attack on the four Jewish settlements in the northern limit of the Holy Land came from two directions, one force crossing the Lebanese frontier and another the Syrian frontier a few miles away. The Haganah said there was heavy fighting, with high casualties. An Egyptian Army officer stated in Cairo that the Cairo garrison had been placed under "stand by orders.’ All leave for officers was cancelled. Arab sources in Cairo said that King Ibn Saud, of Saudi Arabia, ordered his army to join the Egyptian troops on the southern front in Palestine. King Abdullah told the British United Press Amman correspondent that as soon as the British left Palestine Arab States would rush help to the Arabs there. ’While the United Nations confer we are preparing to act We believe the Jews will attempt to seize aU of Palestine as long as they find no effective opposition. We are justeiied, both on humanitarian and on political grounds, in entering Palestine to protect the Arabs.” The Haganah reported that the Jews repulsed day-long attacks by Syrian and Lebanese forces with armoured cars and tanks on the northern Palestine settlements. The spokesman said the attackers were regular units but were not wearing national insignia. The British Army has been ordered to hold MU at all costs. Strong British forces, using Cromwell tanks and 75mm. guns, have occupied a line between the Arab and Haganah forces. The British estimate of Arab losses in the Jaffa fighting yesterday was more than 50 killed and 260 wounded. The British United Press correspondent describes Jaffa as a dead city. Only 15,000 are left of the original population of 60,000, the water supply is running low and there is no electricity. The Haganah has ordered mobilisation, for full-time duties of all Jews in Palestine between 25 and 35. This means that territorial forces can now be used for front-line fighting. Jewish officials said four Jews were killed and 20 wounded in the shelling of Jerusalem’s outskirts by Arabs. The Arab shelling of north-western Jerusalem lasted one hour. The shelling started some fires and the electricity supply was cut when a shell hit the power station. The barrage opened when the streets were filled with people returning from May Day celebrations, but no casualties were reported.

Recd. 8.15 p.m. Jerusalem, May 2 An official announcement says 70 Jews were killed when the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, using mortars, two-pounders, anti-tank guns and armoured cars, launched a night attack after Arabs broke "cease fire” agreement on the Jaffa-Tel Aviv border and the Jews returned the fire. In Jerusalem yesterday Arab artillery bombarded the Jewish quarters in the northern part of the city. The truce talks began in Jaffa between Arab and Jewish leaders while British troops stood guard between the opposing forces and Royal Air Force Spitfires circled overhead to compel a cease fire. "The Times" correspondent says all the fighting has been outside the old city and does not affect the area covered by the Lake Success agreement for a truce.

The truce talks broke down at dusk on Friday night when the Haganah command rejected a British demand that the Jews should evacuate certain captured territory, particularly in the Manshieh area. The British District Commissioner, Mr. W. Fuller, is reported to have told Wie Jews that unless they withdrew from part of the Manshieh area by noon on Saturday, the British would bomb their positions. The Jewish commanuci- replied: “We shall fight the British to our last man before we give up Manshlen."