Alert Sounded in Tel Aviv; All Fronts Reported Quiet; Situation in Galilee is “static”

A 45-minute alert sounded in Tel Aviv tonight when unidentified aircraft flew overhead. No bombs were dropped. An official communique issued late in the day said that all fronts were fairly quiet during the day.

Earlier, it was announced that the Negev cease-fire “was being pretty well observed,” while reports of fighting in Boitir and Beit Safafa–in the Jerusalem area–were officially denied. The situation in the Menara area–in northeastern Galilee, where Syrian and Lebanese troops yesterday succeeded in capturing the strategic Sheikh Abbad height, dominating the supply road to isolated settlements in the north–was reported to be “static.”

An Israeli spokesman, who attributed the seizure of the vital height to Fawzi Kaukaji and Lebanese units, said that the U.N. had been advised of this breach of the truce. He said that enemy forces in Monara are now in a position to direct sniping attacks against the isolated Metullah settlement. The spokesman estimated that the number of Egyptians “put out of action” in the Negev battle was 1,500.

U.N. truce headquarters today Lodged a protest against alleged firing by an Israeli shore patrol at a small boat attached to the U.N. truce vessel, G.K. Mackenzie, an American vessel, which flew both the U.N. and U.S. flags. The American captain, in his report to the U.N. in Haifa termed the incident an “inexcusable and unfriendly act” and asked that disciplinary action be taken against the patrol.

The ancient Roman fortress and well-preserved military camp dominating Betir, four miles north of Jerusalem, where Bar Kocba fought an historic desperate battle, was captured by Israeli forces, it was announced today, Israeli Army engineers are already fortifying positions in the stronghold.