Curfew Proclaimed on Palestine Roads As Battles Rage in Various Parts of Country

A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed tonight on all country roads in Palestine effective Sunday, while fierce battles continued to rage in various parts of the country.

The major battle was proceeding in the vicinity of the strategic Arab village of Castel, which was retaken at dawn today by Haganah after the Jews retreated yesterday in the face of a 5,000-man assault. The village, overlooking the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road–life line for food convoys to the 100,000 Jews in the Holy City–has changed hands three times in the last five days. Haganah used heavy mortar fire to dislodge some 2,000 Arabs who had entrenched themselves in the village.

Later in the day, hundreds of Jerusalem Arabs were reported to be joining the battle for Castel alongside Iraqi and Syrian crack troops under Fawzi el Kaukji’s comnand. They were supported by artillery in a powerful effort to force the retreat of the 250 Haganah men who had driven the Arab forces out of the village stronghold.

JEWS CAPTURE THREE MORE ARAB STRONGHOLDS NEAR JERUSALEM

In addition to regaining Castel early today, Jewish forces composed of Irgunists and Sternists, stormed and captured Deir Yassein, an Arab village near Jerusalem and four miles from Castel. They reportedly used eight armored cars and blew up a number of houses in the attack in which Arab casualties, police officials said, were comparatively heavy. Irgunist forces also occupied the Arab village of Ein Karim, in the same area.

After capturing Deir Yassein, the Jews discovered a large quantity of arms of various makes, including many British sub-machine guns which had been confiscated from the Irgun. The Jewish forces lost three men in the battle, while four others were wounded.

Immediately after raising the Jewish flag over the captured Arab village, the commander of the Jewish unit said he was holding 100 male prisoners as “hostages” in return for the safekeeping of a kidnapped Jewish family. The International Red Cross mission in Palestine was informed accordingly. The remainder of the Arab population was permitted to leave, while the prisoners were transferred by truck to Jerusalem where they were taken to an Irgun camp.

Haganah forces, meanwhile captured Wadi Sara, another Arab stronghold dominating the road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. After a brief but sharp exchange with Iraqi troops, they succeeded in occupying another nearby camp evacuated by the British ten days ago. The camp was offered for sale to the Jewish Agency about two months ago for $44,000, on condition that the land remain Arab. After the Agency refused this condition, the government presented the camp to the Arabs with no strings attached.

In northern Palestine, a large force of Syrian Arabs renewed its attack today on the Jewish settlement of Lahavoth, which has been under fire since Wednesday, and acceded in encircling It. A severe battle was raging there, late reports said, ?th the Jews battering the center, of the Arab guerrilla forces, who using ar?llery. The situation at Mishmer Hacmek today was reported as quiet. Unable to capture the settlement during a five-day siege, the leader of the Arab forces sent e feelers to the Jews, which were rejected.

STREET BATTLE IN TIBERIAS; ARABS RENEW ATTACKS IN NORTHERN PALESTINE

A severe battle developed in Tiberias’ streets, especially in the old section, after the Arab Legion, assisted by local Arabs, broke the truce in the city which has lasted for about three weeks. At least eight Jews and eight Arabs were killed in the skirmish.

Fighting broke out when members of the Arab Legion suddenly opened fire on a group of Jews; Jewish troops immediately rushed to the aid of the Jewish population and succeeded in driving the Legionnaires into another section of Tiberias. In addition to those killed, 22 Arab and 10 Jews were wounded.

Members of the Arab Legion also attached Jews wording in the fields of the Jewish settlement of Dagania, and near the adjoining Mitzpa settlement. Two Jews were killed and two-wounded. The Legionnaires retreated on trucks after the arrival of Jewish defenders.

Arab snipers in Haifa suffered heavy casualties during the last few days, with 19 reported killed and 36 wounded. The Arabs made two efforts to attack the Rothschild flour mills, but were beaten off by Jews and British troops.