Syria was reported today to have rushed more armor and troops to its positions near Lake Tiberias, apparently in response to Israeli warnings that continued Syrian attacks against the demilitarized zone would evoke a military response from Israel. Dispatches from Damascus continued to report that Syrian Army alert and mobilization orders remained in force.
Reports from northern Israel indicated today that the Syrians had been adding artillery to their positions on the heights overlooking Israeli settlements in the southeastern region of Lake Tiberias. Increased military movements also were indicated on other sections of the Israeli-Syrian front, the Syrians apparently responded to fears of an Israeli counteraction.
The increased movements of Syrian troops and equipment were noted as General Carl C. von Horn, chief of staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, informed the Israeli Foreign Ministry today he was confident that a visit he made to Damascus Tuesday would result in easing of tensions in the border area.
General von Horn made the visit in response to warnings by Israeli officials that continued Syrian attacks on settlements in the demilitarized zone, and on Israeli fishermen on the lake, would not be permitted to continue indefinitely without an Israeli counteraction. Brigadier Abraham Yoffo, the Israeli commander in the area, said yesterday on the Military Broadcasting Station that, if Syrian attacks continued, the Israeli Army would not hesitate to use its weapons to protect life and work in the region.
While Foreign Ministry officials declined to reveal the text of the UNTSO chief’s communication, it was understood he reported that the Syrians had promised him they would not fire on Israeli farmers in the demilitarized zone.
Israeli officials, commenting on General von Horn’s reported assurance, said that, whatever Syrian promises might be, what was important was their behavior in the area, According to diplomatic sources, the United States Ambassador in Damascus also appealed to Syrian authorities to prevent deterioration of the border situation.
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