Arab forces in central Palestine and on the northern front opened up new offensives today and scored some successes before they were brought to a halt, an official Israeli spokesman revealed here today.
He announced that the Iraqis had shelled the Majdal Yaba-Ras el Ein area, some 15 miles from Tel Aviv, and the Ein Shemer sector in central Palestine and that they had strengthened several positions captured during the past two days and gained several new ones today. The Iraqis attempted to storm Zirim settlement, in the Jazreel Valley, but were driven off.
In the Menara region the Lebanese and Fawzi el Kaukaji’s forces increased the volume of their fire against Matullah road, traffic and positions. Beside attempting to encircle the defenders of the road, Kaukaji’s forces shelled the Safad area, including the town itself.
The Israeli spokesman commented that the Israelis would not long sit back while the Arabs “come to our doorstep.” He added if the situation is not soon remedied by U.N. negotiations “we will have to take matters into our own hands.”
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