Egyptian commandos made two hit-and-run attacks across the Suez Canal today, their second and third in the past 24 hours. An Israeli military spokesman said five Israeli soldiers were wounded in the first commando attack near el Shatt at the Canal’s southern entrance and none were hurt in the second attack at El Kaff, 50 miles to the north. One wounded Egyptian was captured.
Israeli jets retaliated with bombing and strafing runs on Egyptian positions along the west side of the Canal and returned safely to their bases, a spokesman said. Cairo claimed that one Israeli jet was shot down and one was damaged. The Egyptians also said that all its commandos returned safely and that only two were wounded.
Israeli artillery and Air Force jets hammered positions in Jordan today following an attack on Kfar Ruppin in the Beisan Valley. The jets were sent to knock out the Jordanian’s “long Toms,” their biggest cannons, which were firing from the Gilead plateau miles from the border. Kfar Ruppin also came under fire from 120-mm. Russian-made mortars fired by guerrillas. There were no casualties and only slight damage reported in Kfar Ruppin. Nahal Golan, in the southern sector of the Golan Heights, was attacked with mortars and bazookas by Arab guerrillas in Syrian territory last night. There were no casualties and only minor damage.
The renewed Egyptian commando raids across the Suez Canal were intended to coincide with the radio and television address by President Nasser, Israeli officials said, to give credence to his claim that the war of attrition against Israel is successful. An Egyptian commando raid yesterday killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded two others. A third wounded Israel was taken prisoner by the Egyptians. An Egyptian spokesman claimed in Cairo today that the latest raids destroyed Israeli fortifications, armored vehicles and killed all of their occupants. The Egyptians said also that the Wednesday raiders killed 10 Israelis and captured one soldier who later died in a hospital.
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