Four Israeli Soldiers Killed, 18 Wounded, in Massive Egyptian Artillery Barrage

Four Israeli soldiers were killed and 18 were wounded yesterday and today in massive Egyptian artillery barrages across the Suez Canal. Three of the fatalities were inflicted yesterday and the fourth occurred this morning. The victims were identified as Lt. Haim Ben Ari, 24, of Sdeh Warburg; Corp. Zeev Rimon, 21, of Givatayim; Pvt. Yaacob Berg, 19, of Ashkelon, and Pvt. Shalom Cohen, 20, of Jerusalem. The Egyptian bombardment, described as one of the heaviest since the June, 1967 war, reached a peak at seven p.m. local time yesterday and was resumed today. A military spokesman reported that one Israeli position absorbed 1000 shells and another was hit by hundreds. According to Israeli sources, the escalation is a direct result of Soviet operational support which has freed Egyptian troops and aircraft to mount an offensive against Israeli positions. An Israeli soldier, Shlomo Hiersch, 31, was killed today in a clash with Arab terrorists near the Lebanese border north of Yuval settlement. One of the Arabs was also killed, and two Israelis were injured. Israeli planes attacked Egyptian positions and targets in the Suez Canal area and along the Gulf of Suez shores for three hours today. Israel also hit two terrorist bases on the southwestern slopes of Mt. Hermon on the Lebanese border. All planes reportedly returned safely. An Israeli Army spokesman denied an Egyptian claim that UAR soldiers had raided the Israeli-held side of the Suez Canal, attacking an Israeli patrol.