Egypt today lost two and possibly three Soviet-made MIG-17s in air battles over the Suez Canal as Egyptian planes attacked Israeli canal positions for the first time in several weeks. The Egyptians struck in the northern sector twice today, injuring four Israeli soldiers. Israeli planes, all of which returned safely, intercepted the MIGs at low altitude, downing two of them. A third was believed to have been hit from the ground, but was not seen falling. The pilots of the first two MIGs bailed out before the jets crashed in Egyptian territory. Israeli planes attacked Egyptian canal positions for the 67th straight day today, hitting fortifications, outposts, and mortar and artillery positions in the northern sector. This morning, Israeli planes struck terrorist bases and Army positions in Jordanian territory opposite the Beisan and Jordan Valleys, in response to attacks last night on Kfar Ruppin and Israeli patrols. All planes returned safely from the 30-minute mission. (In Washington, State Department spokesman Robert J. McCloskey declined comment on a Newsweek magazine report, which Israel has denied, that Israeli units have captured key parts of a SAM-3 missile. The magazine attributed the information to U.S. Intelligence sources.)
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