An Israeli soldier was slightly wounded by Egyptian shell fire north of Qantara this morning as Israeli and Jordanian forces exchanged mortar, artillery and tank fire across the Jordan River near the Mandassa and Allenby bridges. No other Israeli casualties were reported.
A military spokesman said Egyptian shelling was concentrated north of Qantara in the Port Fund area and the outskirts of Port Said. He said the Egyptians have shifted the focus of their artillery barrages from the southern sector of the Suez Canal, the main target up to about six weeks ago, to the northern sector. Israeli officials believe the Egyptians have done this to justify the evacuation of civilians from Port Said. The evacuation may already be taking place or will be started shortly, it is believed. An Egyptian military spokesman claimed in Cairo today that Israeli gunners shelled Port Said, killing one civilian and destroying a house.
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