Egypt-Israel General Armistice Agreement – “modus vivendi” to the agreement

MODUS VIVENDI TO THE EGYPTIAN-ISRAELI GENERAL ARMISTICE

AGREEMENT (S/1264/Rev.1*) SIGNED AT EL AUJA ON

22 FEBRUARY 1950

Preamble

With a view to avoid the possibility of friction between the local inhabitants and the armed forces in certain localities of the Gaza-Rafah area;

The undersigned, acting on behalf of their respective Governments, have agreed upon the following provisions.

Article I

1. In the map 1/ attached to this modus vivendi:

(a)  the "A" zone is delineated as follows:

It is the zone between the demarcation line and a line from M.R. 10170 – 11160 in a strait line to point M.R. 10690 – 10740 at the railway crossing and then in a straight line to M.R. 10795 – 10640, to point 72,9 M.R. 10900 – 10565, to point 95,7 M.R. 10880 – 10480, to point 82,2 M.R. 10810 – 10410 and then to the demarcation line at point 95,1 M.R. 10695 – 10240 (all points inclusive to Egyptian side).

(b) The "B" zone is delineated as follows:

It is the zone between the line delineated in paragraph (a) above and the Egyptian fighting line north of BEIT LAHAYA.

(c) The "C" zone is delineated as follows:

it is the zone between the demarcation line and a line from point M.R. 08935 – 08590 in a straight line to point 79,6 M.R. 09035 – 07970, M.R. 08970 – 07790 and from this point to the demarcation line at M.R. 08735 – 07670 (all points inclusive to Egyptian side).

In this modus vivendi the words "the principal agreement" refer to the Egyptian-Israeli General Armistice Agreement signed at Rhodes on the 24th of February 1949.

Article II

1. The Egyptian forces, within the limitations imposed by Article VII of the principal agreement (which relates to the reduction and withdrawal of forces) will control the zones "B" and "C" by patrolling.

The strength of the patrols in each of the zones "B" and "C" will not exceed at any one time 30 men armed with light automatic weapons.

2. The Israeli forces, within the limitations imposed by Article VII of the principal agreement (which relates to the reduction and withdrawal of forces) will control zone "A" by patrolling.

The strength of the patrols will not exceed at any one time 30 men armed with light automatic weapons.

3. The limitations imposed by Article V of paragraph 4 of the Egyptian-Israeli General Armistice Agreement will not apply to Israeli civilians in zone "A" and to civilians under Egyptian control in zones "B" and "C".

Article III

This modus vivendi is of a purely local character and will not affect in any way the provisions of the principal agreement.  In particular nothing in modus vivendi shall be interpreted as constituting a modification of the post of either party relating to the armistice demarcation line as defined in paragraph 1, Article VI of the principal agreement.

Article IV

This modus vivendi shall remain valid so long as the principal agreement itself remains in force.

Article V

In the event of a difference arising as to the exact delineation of the zones above mentioned, the final decision will be according to the attached signed map.

This modus vivendi is signed in quintuplicate, of which one copy shall retained by each party, two copies, communicated to the Secretary-General of United Nations and one copy to the United Nations Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization.

IN FAITH WHEREOF the undersigned representatives , on behalf of their respective Governments, have signed hereafter in the presence of the Chairman of the Egyptian-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission.

Done at EL AUJA on the twenty-second day of February One thousand nine hundred and fifty.

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*  See Official Records of the Security Council, Fourth Year, Special Supplement No. 3.

1/ Note by the Secretariat: The attached map consists of two sheets, with zones "A" and "B" appearing on Sheet 1, and zone "C" on sheet 2.