The first detailed report by U.N. acting Palestine mediator Dr. Ralph J. Bunche on recent charges and counter-charges in the Negev shows that at no time have Israeli forces made any incursions into foreign territory.
Dr. Bunche concluded in his report, which was released here today, that “it is clear no Transjordan forces are now on the Palestine side of the frontier” and that no significant forces are involved on either side and no fighting took Place, “Therefore, it has not been necessary to place it under close observation nor to define any truce lines,” the report added.
Following are Dr. Bunche’s major findings: 1. Since March 8 Israeli have into military forces at considerably more than normal patrol strength have moved into the area between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba — in Palestine — and have taken up positions which they have not previously occupied.
2. There has never been anything in the nature of a military line in this area. “It appears that Arab forces in small strength have recently patrolled in parts of the area,” as have small Israeli patrols, “in violation of the truce orcer.”
3. The Bain movement of Israeli troops have been down the road of Wadi Araba which runs “for its whole length inside Palestine,” but close to the Transjordan frontier.
4. The complaint that Israelis crossed the frontier could not be verified and on March 18 the senior U, N. observer in Amman “reported that no Israeli post existed at that time on the Transjordan side of Wadi Araba.”
5. Neither could the observers verify that one body of Israeli troops entered Um. Reshresh “by a road from the” Egyptian frontier and no such complaint has been received from the Egyptians.
6. “No fighting has taken place between the Trans Jordan and Israeli forces in the southern Negev.” A small Arab force which arrived in Um Reshresh March 3 left March 9 “and Israeli, forces arrived the following day.”
7. By March 15 Israeli forces had established a series of points on the Palestine side of the border in Wadi Araba from the Dead Sea to the Gulf.
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