Heavy fighting broke out today as Syrian forces began their second invasion of Israeli territory since the dispute over the draining of the Huleh marshes started. They were engaged by Israeli patrols shortly after they violated the Israeli frontier and were delayed long enough for larger Israeli Army unite to hurry to the scene.
The Syrian force, apparently composed of 10th regular and irregular units, crossed the border at 9 A.M. local time in the Shamalina area, due north of lake Tiberius in the center of the demilitarized zone. United Nations truce observers, summoned to the area by Israel, attempted to approach the scene of the invasion from both Israel and Syrian territory, but were prevented from doing so by the heavy fighting in progress.
Earlier, Acting U.N. Truce Chief Col. Bennet de Ridder reported a tentative agreement between the parties for a meeting of the Mixed Armistice Commission to be held Friday.
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