Mine Injures 2 Border Policemen; Israel Warns Egypt on Suez Commando Activities

Two Israeli border patrolmen were injured today when their half-track hit a mine south of Kfar Ruppin in the Beisan Valley. One was hospitalized. Two other anti-vehicle mines were discovered in the region and dismantled. A military spokesman said the incident marked the first time in several weeks that saboteurs crossed into Israel territory in this sector to plant mines.

Israel warned Egypt today that its increased commando activities on the east bank of the Suez Canal would be met by an “appropriate reaction.” An Arabic broadcast over the state radio said that Egyptian ambushes and mining of roads on the east bank were “suicidal.” It was reported here meanwhile that the Egyptians were making hectic preparations to “absorb” an Israeli retaliatory thrust across the Suez Canal. Egyptian governors in areas close to the canal were said to have been instructed to hasten the evacuation of civilians and to build more shelters.

Jordanian units opened fire today on Israeli forces near Ashdod Yaacov and Umm Keiss but inflicted no casualties, a military spokesman said. Yesterday a brief fire exchange occurred near Kfar Ruppin and on Friday three anti-vehicle mines were discovered in the southern Golan Heights, close to the Jordanian border, and were dismantled. Bedouins in the service of either Egypt or Jordan were held responsible for a rash of mine plantings in the Negev and near the Gaza Strip. In Gaza, a tractor driver was hurt yesterday when hand grenades and automatic fire were aimed at his vehicle. The mines, made in Czechoslovakia, caused the deaths of three Israeli soldiers and injury to two near Shivta last Thursday. The Bedouins move freely in southern Israel and are able to penetrate deeply into Israeli territory.