After a heavy exchange of mortar, small arms and machine gunfire, Jordanians troops who had taken positions in Israel territory in the Hebron area were forced to retreat yesterday. In the battle, which involved two separate exchanges of fire, one Israel soldier was killed and two others were wounded. Israel immediately complained to the Israel-Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission, calling for an emergency meeting to consider the incident.
The engagement began when an Israel military patrol in the Beit Guvrin region found Jordanian soldiers digging emplacements inside Israel territory near the demarcation line. After an exchange of fire, in which both sides used mortars as well as small arms, the Arabs withdrew to Jordan territory. This incident took place in the morning and firing by the Israelis ended after the intervention of United Nations observers.
About 3:30 P. M. local time, the Jordanians suddenly opened up with a heavy concentration of mortars. The Israel forces, in turn, laid down a barrage which finally silenced the Arabs. This region has been the scene of a number of incidents in recent weeks.
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