Israeli military leaders hinted today that there would be new commando raids deep inside Egypt should fighting break out again on the Suez front. Chief of Staff Gen. Haim Bar Lev told paratroopers at Ramat Gan today that in the event of a new war they would play “a difficult and central role” just as they did during the war of attrition. That war, waged by the late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser up to the cease-fire last Aug. 8, was marked by a series of raids by Israeli airborne troops on key targets in the Egyptian hinterland. Gen. Rafael Eytan, the paratroop commander, said the gap between Israeli and Egyptian commandos has continued to widen since the Six-Day War. He said the Israeli paratrooper and infantryman is better equipped with knowledge and experience. Gen. Bar Lev stressed that the Israeli Army has learned the lessons of the past. Israel will mark paratrooper day tomorrow.
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