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Egypt Concentrating Troops in Gaza Area; Attack on Israel Feared

July 31, 1956
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Egypt is concentrating troops in the Gaza area and in the Sinai desert close to the Israel border, according to reports received here today from Cairo.

The report coincides with the fear expressed in the London press today that Egyptian President Nasser may attack Israel, and with reports from Cairo by British correspondents that if Nasser is successful in nationalizing the Suez Canal, his next move will be aimed against Israel.

“Pressure for decisive action against Israel, always strong at moments of crisis, is bound to grow if Nasser’s Suez gamble comes off–especially since his latest speech at Alexandria contained one of his most bitter attacks on Israel,” a cable from Cairo to the Manchester Guardian says. “Resentment at the existence of Israel and the sense of national humiliation at the way it was achieved still smoulder deep in Egypt’s consciousness,” the Cairo correspondent emphasizes.

The News Chronicle, in an editorial–today said: “We, with France and the United States, should make it clear that any attack on Israel or closing of the Suez Canal to international shipping would result in retaliatory military action on our part.”

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