Egyptians Violate Truce; Bomb Two Jewish Settlements, Strafe U.n.-escorted Convoy

What may be the first more in an Arab renewal of the war in Palestine took place today when Egyptian planes bombed two Jewish settlements in southern Palestine after turning back a U.N. escorted Jewish food convoy which was on route to supply Jewish colonies cut off behind the Egyptian lines. The attacked settlements were Beer Tuvia and Kfar Warburg, both in the vicinity of Ishdud.

The convoy, which was later strafed from the air by an unidentified plane, believed to be Egyptian, attempted to cross the Egyptian lines after the U.N. mediator’s staff had agreed to a Jewish request to supply the isolated Israeli settlements. The Egyptians had been informed of the U.N. decision, but had made no reply to it. The Jews had refused to accept the Arabs’ silence as their answer, and asserted that they would try to supply the colonies.

An Egyptian plane also strafed a clearly-marked U.N. plane which was landing this morning at a Jewish airfield in the Negev. Although the plane was hit 15 times, the American pilot escaped unhurt. The Israel Government announced that U.N. observers were being withdrawn from territory under the Egyptians’ commend.

A second truce-breaking incident occurred at the Jewish-held Arab village of Birva, ten miles northeast of Acre, when troops believed to be part of the command of Fawzi el Kaukauji attached. The fighting lasted half-a-day, with the Arabs retreating. Both aides suffered casualties. Bernadette’s staff has been informed of the violation.

Jews circles believe that Kaukuji’s troops may have been on patrol in preparation for an expected attack on Haifa after the British evacuation. Meanwhile, in the port city the last of the oil refineries have been completely closed down and are deserted except for their military guards. All the senior British officials in Haifa have left.