Israeli Planes Control Skies over Negev; Two Egyptian Planes Downed in Mediterranean

Israeli fighters and bombers continued to rule the skies over the Negev today while activity on the ground was restricted chiefly to Egyptian attacks against positions captured previously by the Jews and Israeli harassment of Arab communications.

In a series of dogfights the Israeli air force swept Egyptian Spitfires out of the skies, downing one in the Mediterranean. A second Arab plane was shot down by anti-aircraft fire when it attacked an Israeli naval vessel patrolling the thirty mile coastal strip between Tel Aviv and Majdal. All Israeli planes returned safely to base after today’s operations.

Gaza was bombed for a fourth night in a row, as was Faluja, Beit Jibrin, Beersheba and the El Arish airfield. The results of the Israeli bombings last night and today were reported to have been “good.” The Egyptians, for their part, raided the settlements of Nirim and Doroth.

Commenting on press reports that the Israeli forces were within five miles of Gaza and were shelling the city, an Israeli press representative merely pointed out that since 1943 the Jewish settlement of Beroth Itzhak has been located within three and a fraction miles of the Arab base. Asked whether the Israelis have accomplished their objective in the Negev, the spokesman declared that if the objectives were to secure a safe road to the Negev settlements, they have not yet been completely achieved because in some sectors the Egyptians are still able to harass Jewish convoys.

The spokesman also revealed that a considerable number of prisoners was captured during the fighting, including a number of senior officers. Commenting on reports of an air alert in Cairo, he said that either the Egyptian air wardens were not functioning efficiently or some air force other than the Israeli was active over the Egyptian capital because Jewish planes were not in the vicinity.