Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Israelis, Jordanians Exchange Fire in Several Beisan Valley Incidents

August 15, 1968
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Israeli and Jordanian forces exchanged bazooka and small arms fire intermittently for about four hours this morning along the cease-fire demarcation line in the Beisan Valley region, a military spokesman reported today.

Two bazooka shells were fired shortly after midnight at a field shed near Ein Yahav, south of the Dead Sea, and a tractor was slightly damaged by a mine just outside of the settlement this morning. Last week Ein Yahav was attacked with bazooka shells which damaged a clinic. The marauders were pursued by Israeli forces into Jordan where five were killed and two captured. Three bazooka shells with a time-firing device were found near the settlement today and were dismantled.

The fighting in the Beisan region was touched off by the Jordanians early this morning when they fired machineguns at Israeli positions in the Neve Urr region. Bazookas were fired at a border police armored car, two civilian workers came under fire in the Yardena area, and bazooka shells were aimed at Israeli forces in the vicinity, the military spokesman said. Israelis returned the fire in all instances and the border was later reported quiet. No Israeli casualties were reported.

Two Israeli border policemen were injured yesterday when their armored car was hit by Jordanian bazooka and machinegun fire in the Beisan Valley. The clash took place east of Maoz Chaim, about 300 yards from the Jordanian border. The damaged armored car and another armored car nearby returned the fire. One of the injured policemen refused hospitalization and returned to patrol duty.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement