Mideast situation – UNTSO supplemental information – SecGen report

Supplementary information received by the Secretary-General

1. On the evening of 18 June the Chief of Staff of UNTSO reported as follows:

"1. Observer team three reported machine gun fire from 1250 GMT to 1307 GMT originating from vicinity of MR 2301-2855.  At this time four vehicles were seen at approximately MR 2315-2875 approximately 1500 metres east of Israel Forward Defended Locality.

2. At 1515 GMT further report from Tiberias Control Centre that United Nations Military Observers report one of these vehicles was under tow and all were moving in easterly direction toward Jabah approximately MR 2368-2865.  No firing reported at that time.

3. Attempting confirm details this incident and will report same as  soon as possible."

2. The Chief of Staff shortly thereafter reported as follows:

"1.  Officer-in-Charge Tiberias sent following message to Senior Israel Representative 18 June, 1514 GMT:

`United Nations Military Observer reports indicate machine gun fire from 1250 GMT to 1307 GMT, originating from positions vicinity MR 2301-2855. At that time four vehicles were observed at approximately MR 2315-2875 approximately 1500 metres east of Israel Forward Defended Locality.  I request that you take the necessary action to ensure that Israel forces scrupulously observe the cease-fire resolution of the Security Council. Likewise, I have requested the Senior Syrian Delegate to ensure that Syrian forces do not move forward of their Forward Defended Locality.'

"2. The Officer-in-Charge Tiberias received the following message from Senior Israel Representative at 18 1836 GMT:

`To General Bull from General Staff Officer for Liaison with United Nations.  Please be informed that today 18 June 1967 at approximately 1450 LT three armoured Syrian personnel carriers were observed approaching our positions in the area of MR 2295-2885.  When the Syrian vehicles came to a distance of about 200 metres from our cease-fire line they opened machine gun fire in our direction.  Fire was returned and the Syrian force withdrew in an easterly direction. I am instructed to protest most strongly against this breach of the cease-fire by the Syrian Army by way of both opening fire and moving their troops forward beyond their position at the time of the cease-fire on 10 June.'

3. In a further message the Chief of Staff, in reference to the report of the Observers referred to in paragraph 1 above, stated the following:

"Location of observer team when firing heard and vehicles seen was approximately MR 2301-2855.  Due to distance (approximately 3000 metres) identity and type of vehicles was not recognized.  At 1307 GMT firing was heard from the direction of the vehicles.  Firing was heard from the general area approximately MR 23015-28550 in several bursts from 1250 GMT to 1307 GMT.  The four vehicles then moved in an easterly direction.  Originator of fire unknown."

4. On the morning of 19 June the Chief of Staff transmitted the following

situation report:

"1. Sitrep at 0440 GMT 19 June, from Observer team Yankee (approximately MR 2272-2913) machine-gun fire heard in general area.  Origin of fire not observed.  One Israel Armoured Personnel Carrier at approximately MR 2240-2932 seen firing.  The firing continued until 0445 GMT.  Observers could not determine if fire was returned.

2. Sitrep at 0500 GMT 19 June.  Observer team Sierra (approximately MR 2347-2532) reported five single shots followed by burst of machine gun fire in north-west direction at far distance."

5. On the morning of 19 June General Bull reported as follows:

"1. The following message was received by telephone from General Staff Officer for liaison with United Nations at Headquarters UNTSO at 19 0900 GMT June:

`Please be informed that on 19 June 1967 at approximately 0730 LT a detachment of Syrian armed soldiers approached the Israeli positions and when they came within a distance of about 200 metres from our line at approximately MR 2258-2918, they opened machine gun fire in the direction of our positions.  Fire was returned and the Syrian soldiers withdrew.

It should be noted that this is the second time within the last twenty-four hours that the Syrian Army breaches the cease-fire by way of directing fire at our positions and moving their armed troops forward beyond the positions held by them when the cease-fire came into effect.'

2. Details to follow."

6. At the same time General Bull reported that the Chairman of the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission had received from the Senior Syrian Delegate at 1000 hours GMT on 19 June the following verbal complaint:

"At 1600 LT 18 June 1967 an Israel Armoured Personnel Carrier and thirty armed Israel soldiers moved forward to occupy a position at Point 935 (MR 2304-2872).  To cover the occupation of this position the Israel force opened fire against Syrian advanced position at Oufaniye (MR 2304-2896).  Fire was returned by Syria.  I protest most strongly against this breach of the cease-fire by Israel both in connection with the movement forward of Israel troops east of their Forward Defended Locality at the time of the cease-fire on 10 June 1967 and the opening of fire against a Syrian position."

—–