Israeli Jets Strike Close to Damascus in Retaliation for Syrian Attack on Israel

Israeli fighter planes struck deep into Syrian territory, reaching almost to Damascus, In retaliation for the biggest Syrian attack In three years last night. The Israelis hit bases and depots at Katana and the Kiswa region—nine and six miles south of Damascus, respectively– and at the Sizen camp north of Sweida. These are the major Syrian army camps. All Israeli planes returned safely. Last night, three Syrian tanks crossed the cease-fire line into the occupied Golan Heights, stopping short of the Israeli military line but shelling Israeli positions near Kuneitra, Nahal Geshur and Ein Zivan, according to an Israeli military spokesman. The entire 37-mile-long Israeli line mobilized and pursued the tanks back into Syrian territory in the Mount Hermon area, destroying two of them, he said. The two-hour confrontation ended at 8 p.m. local time. The spokesman said the Syrian attack was her “heaviest ever.”

Syria claimed that 175 Israelis had been killed or wounded last night. Israel reported one dead and seven injured. The Syrian raid last night is believed to have resulted from Cairo requests to ease Egypt’s fighting burdens. Beisan township and the surrounding area were attacked four times this morning by Katyusha rocket fire from Jordanian territory. One Israeli woman was slightly injured. Israeli army units returned fire. The Arab rockets all exploded In empty lots. This afternoon, Israel reported downing a Soviet-built Syrian MIG-21 in a dogfight over the Golan Heights. Syria claimed it had downed an American-made Israeli Phantom. Cairo military sources said Egyptian anti-aircraft gunners had shot down an American-made Skyhawk today as 30 Israeli planes struck Egyptian positions along the Suez Canal. This was the 19th straight day of Israeli attacks on canal positions. The Egyptians said their forces had launched two “fierce” strikes on Israeli positions on the East Bank.