Arabs Launch “general Attack” in Jerusalem; Two Jewish Soldiers Killed, Three Wounded

Arab forces launched a “general attack” along the entire Jerusalem front at dawn today, an Israeli Amy communique reported. Two Jewish soldiers wars killed and three were wounded in the initial fighting, the announcement said, adding that there was no immediately available information on the member of Arab casualties.

The detonations of mortar shells and heavy machinegun fire awoke the inhabitants of Jerusalem around dawn as the Arab assault developed. The Arab3 concentrated on the perimeter stretching from the halfway, mark between Jerusalem and Bethlehem northwards to the Sheik Jarrach quarter.

The Israeli conmunique noted that the attack was directed by the Egyptian Army in the south–mainly against Ramat Rachel and Talpioth–and against the Mt. Zion and Beith Israel quarters by the Arab Legion. The Legion troops laid down a smoke screen in the northern sector before opening their drive.

Israeli troops returned the fire of the Arab attackers. There were no indications as to whether the Arab attacks had resulted in any advances.

Later, U.N. mediator Count Folke Bernadobtte’s representative in this area, Brig. Cen. William E. Riley, of the U.S. Marine Corps, was notified by Israeli military governor for Jerusalem Dr. Dov Joseph that although Jewish troops have boon ordered not to open fire in reply to Arab sniping, so as to enable the U.N. truce officials to determine responsibility for the constant shooting in the city, “nevertheless, we reserve the right to defend ourselves”. If attacked, we shall reply. We demand that the Arabs withdraw from the positions they occupied in ‘no-man’s land during the cease-fire period.”

(Cementing on this morning’s Arab assault in Jerusalem, an Israeli Government spokesman in Tel Aviv declared: “This is a further instance of the weight which can be attached to the Arab assurances given to the mediator. Count Bernadotte said the Arabs premised him they would not open fire in Jerusalem, even if fired on. Indeed, the mediator even emphasized this point. This morning’s attack, following the Arabs’ sabotage of the Latrun pumping station, exposes as utter worthlessness their previous promises and reflects gravely on the judgment of those who showed such readiness to accept these promise a on their face value.”)

Unable to reach the Wailing Wall in the Old City for the traditional Tisha S’av services, a group of Jewish dignitaries, accompanied by correspondents, proceeded today to an advance Israeli Army position in en Arab village on the Latrun front, not far from the recently-destroyed water pumping station, to mark the ancient day of morning. Israeli troops in the village fired a volley of three shots into the air to commemorate the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

For the fourth consecutive day, Iraqis attacked the Jewish-hold Arab village of Kfar Saba, northeast of Tel Aviv. Two children were wounded by the enemy mortar fire, which in directed from positions captured by the Arabs during the present truce.