Israeli military circles rejected as “malicious” reports attributed to Western military sources in the Middle East that Israel’s thinning out of its troops and armor in Sinai last week was a sham. The reports, published in newspapers abroad today, alleged that the troops, tanks and artillery which Israel said were pulled back from 30 to nearly 50 kilometers east of the Sues Canal in a unilateral gesture on the eve of the canal’s official reopening last Thursday had actually been withdrawn many months earlier.
According to these sources, Israel’s announcement that it was thinning out forces which did not actually exist was a propaganda ploy. They said Egypt was aware of this fact from U.S. intelligence reports but decided not to challenge the Israeli announcement because it was considered a politically and psychologically important gesture.
The Israeli military circles stated flatly today that the troops, tanks and artillery were pulled back in accordance with the decision of the government and as per the Prime Minister’s announcement. It was “a bona fide withdrawal” and “no pantomime” the circles said.
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