An Israeli soldier was killed this afternoon as fighting mounted in intensity all along the Syrian front and the air forces of both sides were thrown into action. One Syrian plane was downed by Israeli anti-air-craft fire. The dead soldier was identified as Pvt. Chaim Parafar, 22, of Netivot. Eight Israeli soldiers were wounded by Syrian artillery fire yesterday.
The Syrians opened fire today against Israeli positions in the Kuneitra and Mt. Hermon areas. Israeli forces withheld return fire for a time this morning on orders from the military command, apparently to test alleged Syrian readiness to limit the scope of fighting while U.S. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger continues his diplomatic efforts to promote a disengagement accord. But by noon the Syrian shelling increased and spread to the southern section of the Yom Kippur War enclave and the southern Golan Heights.
Israeli long range artillery went into action, hitting targets well behind the Syrian lines. A military spokesman said Syrian anti-aircraft batteries and missile sites sustained direct hits which caused casualties and damage. Israel Air Force jets, inactive yesterday, took to the air early this afternoon to attack Syrian targets for one hour. All planes returned safely to their bases, a military spokesman reported. This afternoon, four Syrian jets attacked Israeli positions in the Yom Kippur War enclave at low altitude. They were driven off by anti-aircraft fire and one was shot down, a military spokesman said.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
