the six-day war (1967)
Gabriel Gullion
The Six-Day War was the third major Arab-Israeli war. Its beginnings stemmed from Egypt's decision to remove the United Nations troops from the Sinai peninsula and close the port of Eilat of Israel. Additionally, in the weeks leading up to the Six-Day War, Arab leaders threatened Israel frequently with destruction.
The war officially started on June 5th, 1967. In the morning, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) attacked the Egyptian Air Force, destroying many aircrafts and 11 air ports. This was followed by a second attack which destroyed 107 Egyptian grounded aircrafts. From this attack, the IAF had destroyed over 400 Arabic planes only losing 19 of their own.
The division under Major General Ariel Sharon followed with an attack on a fortified area of the Egyptian Sinai desert. At this time the King of Jordan was convinced by the Egyptian President that Israel had been destroyed. Jordan joined the war, their army fired on Jerusalem and other Jewish communities adjacent the border. The Jordan army continued and dropped shells on Jerusalem, a United Nations base, and other small towns. The IAF returned shell fire on Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, destroying 90 enemy planes. |
Mordechai Hod - Commander of the Israeli Air Force
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The following day, Israeli paratroopers joined the Jerusalem brigade against the Jordanians, killing 70. They continued to conquer cities and towns around Old City. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) carried out attacks on cities neighboring Jerusalem, achieving their goal by seizure of Jerusalem.
June 7th was the start of the Sharm el-Sheikh carried out by Israel. They assaulted shores of Egypt with missile boats from water and paratroopers and commandos from land. They took the city by way of swift advance, planned attacks, and gaining air superiority. In the same day, the Israelis seized Bethlehem and Nablus.
On June 8th, Israel had completely taken over the Sanai by holding the key point of Ras Sudar. As a result of Israeli dominance, the Egyptians accepted a cease-fire by the end of the day. The Major General of the Southern Command, Shayke Gavish, concluded that there had been 10,000 deaths and 600 tanks destroyed on the Egyptian side.
On the morning of June 9th, Israel carried out many strategically planned attacks on Syrian positions from Mount Hermon to Tawfiq. The use of airstrikes caused heavy casualties on the Syrian side, reducing their numbers and morale. After a slow advance to the Golan Heights, the Israelis successfully took the Golan area. Shortly after, Syria was forced into a ceasefire, sensing that they had the lower hand. They continue their advance throughout the day and night until the Syrians retreated and the Six-Day War was effectively won by the Israelis.
June 7th was the start of the Sharm el-Sheikh carried out by Israel. They assaulted shores of Egypt with missile boats from water and paratroopers and commandos from land. They took the city by way of swift advance, planned attacks, and gaining air superiority. In the same day, the Israelis seized Bethlehem and Nablus.
On June 8th, Israel had completely taken over the Sanai by holding the key point of Ras Sudar. As a result of Israeli dominance, the Egyptians accepted a cease-fire by the end of the day. The Major General of the Southern Command, Shayke Gavish, concluded that there had been 10,000 deaths and 600 tanks destroyed on the Egyptian side.
On the morning of June 9th, Israel carried out many strategically planned attacks on Syrian positions from Mount Hermon to Tawfiq. The use of airstrikes caused heavy casualties on the Syrian side, reducing their numbers and morale. After a slow advance to the Golan Heights, the Israelis successfully took the Golan area. Shortly after, Syria was forced into a ceasefire, sensing that they had the lower hand. They continue their advance throughout the day and night until the Syrians retreated and the Six-Day War was effectively won by the Israelis.
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“The Six-Day War: Background & Overview.” Background & Overview - Six-Day War, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/background-and-overview-six-day-war. “The Six-Day War.” War, www.sixdaywar.org/war.asp. |