Mideast situation/Incident near Gaza - UNTSO report

UNITED NATIONS

Distr.

GENERAL

S/3373

17 March 1955

ORIGINAL:ENGLISH

SECURITY COUNCIL

				REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE TRUCE SUPERVISION ORGANIZATION
				

				CONCERNING THE INCIDENT OF 28 FEBRUARY 1955 NEAR GAZA
				

					The Egypt-Israel Mixed Armistice Commission, at an emergency meting held on 6 March 1955, found that on the night of 28 February 1955 at 20:30 local time, a force of the Israeli Army estimated at two platoon strength, crossed the Armistice Demarcation Line east of Gaza, advanced more than three kilometres inside Egyptian-controlled territory, and, using mortars, anti-tank projectiles, hand grenades, bangalore torpedoes and heavy explosive charges, attacked an Egyptian military camp, the Gaza Stationmaster’s house and a concrete water-pump house supplying part of the Gaza area.  The water-pump house, a stone military building and four Nissen huts were completely destroyed.  Another group of the Israeli Army crossed the Demarcation Line six kilometres south-east of Gaza and ambushed a military truck carrying a Lieutenant and thirty-four other ranks, who were moving from the south to reinforce the garrison of the Egyptian camp near the railway station.  This attack was carried out on a highway south of Gaza and three kilometres within Egyptian-controlled territory.
				

					The casualties on the Egyptian side were found to be 36 military personnel and two civilians killed, 29 military personnel and two civilians wounded.
				

					The Mixed Armistice Commission decided that this attack was a violation of Article I, paragraphs 2 and 3, Article II, paragraph 2, and Article V, paragraph 3 of the General Armistice Agreement.
				

					An Israeli complaint dealing with the same incident was considered by the MAC.  The complaint alleged that at about 21:00 local time an Israeli patrol was ambushed inside Israeli-controlled territory by an Egyptian armed force and that as a result a running fight, starting in Israel and carried on into Egyptian-controlled territory, ensued between the Egyptian force and the reinforcements brought to assist the Israeli patrol.  The draft resolution submitted by the Israeli delegation was not adopted by the MAC.
				

					In this draft resolution, the Israeli authorities reported that eight of their soldiers were killed and thirteen wounded in the ambush and in the subsequent fight.  The reports of the United Nations observers on the investigation of the Egyptian and Israeli complaints are attached to this report as Appendices I and II.  The draft resolutions adopted and rejected, in their full text, are attached as Appendix III.
				

					The character and extent of the operations, the damage done and, above all, the heavy casualties which must be a subject of the deepest regret, make this the most serious clash between the two Parties since the signing of the Armistice Agreement.
				

					I shall attempt to set forth the state of affairs on the demarcation line between Egyptian-controlled territory in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-controlled territory surrounding it, in the several months preceding the actual event.  In my opinion, it is most important to assess the causes contributory to this very grave incident, with a view to persuading the Parties to modify their statutes and so prevent still further deterioration of the situation.
				

					In a previous report to the Security Council (S/3319) I submitted a number of tables containing the complaints received from the Egyptian and the Israeli delegations during the months of September and October 1954.
				

					The tables (Appendices IV, V and VI) annexed to the report which I have the honour to submit today contain a complete list of the complaints lodged by both Parties during the last four months.  Out of 99 Israeli complaints 80 alleged infiltration from Egyptian-controlled territory, 6 crossing of the line by armed groups, 3 crossing of the line by an armed unit.  The number of casualties prior to the Gaza incident reflects the comparative tranquillity along the armistice demarcation line during the greater part of the period November 1954-February 1955.  According to the complaints received from both sides there were during these four months: 4 Israelis killed and 4 Israelis wounded; 1 Egyptian killed and 7 Egyptians wounded.  There were more casualties among Arab infiltrators into Israel territory: 8 were killed, 2 wounded and 13 captured.
				

					It would be a difficult task to assess the relative importance of alleged incidents if the Parties themselves – by requesting an emergency meeting of the MAC in certain cases, an investigation but not an emergency meeting in other cases, and neither an emergency meeting nor an investigation in a third category of cases – did not indicate that, in their opinion, there are major and minor incidents.  We may consider that the major incidents are those which are dealt with in emergency meetings of the MAC, while the other incidents are placed on the agenda of the regular monthly meetings.
				

					It must be added that a study of the major incidents alone does not give an adequate picture of the situation, since repeated minor incidents contribute to creating a state of tension.  Infiltration from Egyptian-controlled territory has not been the only cause of present tension, but has undoubtedly been one of its main causes.
				

					The following are the incidents which have occurred since November first and have been dealt with in emergency meetings:
				

					November fifth: the MAC condemned Egypt for the penetration of three men from Egyptian-controlled territory deep into Israel, where they blew up two houses in the village of Patish on November first.  The MAC condemned Israel for the penetration of three Israelis up to about three kilometres inside Egyptian controlled territory and their firing at the guards of a water tower on November first.
				

					November tenth: the MAC condemned Israel for an attack carried out by a group of Israelis on a Bedouin tribe at Ein Quedis, three kilometres inside Egypt (2 Bedouins were kidnapped, camels and sheep were stolen).
				

					Between the first of November and the 24th of December, there was only one incident for which an emergency meeting was requested.  Israel requested an emergency meeting for the blowing up of a water pipeline leading to a kibbutz south of Faluja.  The Chairman did not agree to an emergency meeting, as the alleged tracks led in a direction away from the Gaza Strip.
				

					The incident which took place on 24 December was easily settled.  Israel had complained that on that day an Egyptian military unit had crossed the international frontier and taken position within the Demilitarized Zone of El Auja.  The MAC condemned Egypt for this violation of the Armistice Agreement.  The Egyptian delegation stated that the unit which, according to the reports of the United Nations Observers, did not exceed the strength of a platoon, had been removed.  Both Parties agreed to call upon the Sub-Committee of the MAC to mark the international frontier on the ground, including the area where the incident had taken place.  I have been informed that the Egyptian Authorities are now opposed to a joint marking of the frontier and intend to mark it themselves.
				

					Another incident relating to the area of the Auja Demilitarized Zone took place on 29 December.  Egypt presented a complaint and Israel a counter-complaint.  The Egyptian delegation requested the condemnation of Israel, alleging that armed Israelis in vehicles coming from the Demilitarized Zone had approached the international frontier and shot at an Egyptian check-post.  The Israel delegation alleged that an Egyptian military unit, after crossing the international frontier into the Demilitarized Zone, had opened fire, inside the Zone.  No decision was taken by the MAC, the Chairman having abstained both on the Egyptian and the Israeli draft resolutions.
				

					No incidents for which emergency meetings were held took place between the end of December 1954 and 21 January 1955.  On the morning of that day an Egyptian military patrol attacked an Israeli post manned by three soldiers of whom one was killed, and the other two wounded.  Egypt was condemned for that attack.  The Egyptian delegation had requested a condemnation of Israel, alleging that Israeli soldiers had opened fire from an ambush upon an Egyptian patrol across the demarcation line.  The Egyptian draft resolution was not carried, the Chairman having abstained from voting.
				

					On the same day (21 January) at about 23:30, armed infiltrators from Egyptian-controlled territory attacked two Israelis of Ein Hashlosha settlement, six kilometres from the Demarcation Line, while they were ploughing their fields with a tractor. One was killed, the other was wounded.  Two attackers were killed.  The MAC condemned Egypt for this attack.  The attack created much emotion in Israel and the draft resolution moved by the Israel delegation was couched in very strong terms.  It noted with grave concern the serious situation prevailing along the Gaza Strip resulting from what it referred to as “these repeated attacks”.  It noted “once again with extremely grave concern that, despite the obligation imposed on Egypt by the General Armistice Agreement and a number of MAC resolutions, these penetrations and killings of Israeli citizens have not been terminated”.  It called upon the Egyptian authorities to put an immediate end to such aggressive acts.  The Chairman voted for the resolution moved by the Israel delegation and the Egyptian delegation abstained.
				

					On the afternoon of the first of February, an exchange of fire took place across the Demarcation Line between an Israeli patrol and an Egyptian military position.  The Israelis used automatic weapons and 3" mortars.  One Egyptian soldier was killed, two were wounded.  One Israeli soldier was wounded.  By adopting the resolution moved by Egypt, then the resolution moved by Israel, the MAC divided responsibility between the two Parties.  The MAC is often criticized for such judgements.  It has been argued that it should state which side started the shooting.  However, in the absence of a neutral eye-witness observer in the immediate vicinity, the contradictory evidence collected from the two sides rarely permits responsibility for the first shot to be assessed.  Patrols in command cars drive a few metres from the demarcation line, close to the outposts on the other side and in a period of tension an incident may easily occur.
				

					I should point out in this connexion that on February 25th and again on March 9th, the Chairman of the MAC had to draw the attention of the Israel delegation to the fact that Israeli patrols had provoked the Egyptians by cursing them in Arabic or shouting and laughing at them.  The danger of such provocations, especially in present circumstances, need not be emphasized.  On both sides, elements guarding the border should observe strict military discipline.
				

					There was another exchange of fire on the morning of 22 February when according to the Egyptian resolution submitted to the MAC, an Israeli patrol fired with automatic weapons and mortars at an Egyptian military position in the Rafah area, wounding four Egyptian soldiers.  According to the draft resolution submitted by the Israel delegation, when an Israeli patrol approached infiltrators who were cutting grass on the Israel side of the demarcation line, it was fired upon by the infiltrators and by the Egyptian military position.  The latter used automatic weapons and mortars.  There were no Israeli casualties.  As in similar cases of exchange of fire, the MAC adopted both the Egyptian and the Israeli resolutions and the two Parties were condemned for having violated the General Armistice Agreement.
				

					This was the latest shooting incident along the demarcation line prior to the Gaza incident six days later.  From the Egyptian point of view the firing by the Israeli patrol at an Egyptian military position was one more hostile act against Egypt.  From the Israeli point of view there was in the incident on 22 February both one more instance of the illegal activities in Israel of infiltrators crossing illegally from the Gaza Strip and one more hostile act against Israel.
				

					The recurrence at more or less frequent intervals of shooting incidents along the demarcation line, the much more frequent cases of crossing of the line by infiltrators and their activities in Israel helped to maintain a state of greater or lesser tension, which was increased by the emotion created in Israel by the Bat Galim case and, in January, by the trial in Cairo of Jews charged with espionage and the condemnation to death of two of the defendants.
				

					The tension following the Cairo trial was marked by the fact that the Israel delegation henceforth would agree to meet the Egyptian delegation only in emergency meetings of the MAC.  By the end of February, however, there was some hope that the regular monthly meetings and also informed meetings might be resumed.
				

					I have endeavoured to find out whether there had been a special immediate cause for the Gaza incident on 28 February.  It must be noted that on the morning of March first, the Israeli newspapers which had gone to press before the Israeli army spokesman issued his communiqué on the incident, reported extensively the information given by the same army spokesman concerning the alleged activities of a group of three armed men from the Gaza Strip.  According to the English language Israeli newspaper “Jerusalem Post”, the army spokesman explained that on the night of February 23rd, the three men had broken into an Israel Government building near Rishon Le Zion (some fifty kilometres from the Demarcation Line) and stolen official documents.  Two days later, near Rehovot, 40 kilometres from the Demarcation Line, a cyclist was murdered allegedly by the same group (on 7 March, the MAC condemned Egypt for this murder).
				

					The Israel army spokesman’s statement in the Israeli press on March first went on to say that when, on the morning of February 26th, the three men who had allegedly committed those crimes in Israel crossed into the Gaza Strip, they were fired upon by an Israel patrol and they had to abandon their loot, including a telephone stolen from the Israel Government building on the 23rd.  At the same time another alleged Egyptian group was operating in another area.  An Israel unit patrolling on the 25th in the vicinity of Yad Mordechai, near the Demarcation Line, encountered two armed Egyptian agents and killed one of them.  On the body was found a report of the movement of military vehicles in the south of Israel during February 24th and 25th.
				

					These incidents were connected by the Israel Army spokesman with previous activities of the Egyptian intelligence service during the past year.  He claimed that Egyptian agents had been caught by the Israel army and sentenced to prison terms; ten had been killed in clashes with Israel patrols, five had escaped.  The army spokesman added that the Egyptian military authorities in the Gaza Strip were conducting spying and sabotage operations in Israel territory.
				

					The above officially-released information about Egyptian intelligence patrols was supplemented in the Hebrew newspapers of March first by details on alleged Egyptian espionage and intelligence activities since January 1954.  Appendix VII to this report contains a translation of the most complete list published to my knowledge in a Hebrew newspaper – viz., the list published in “Lamerhav”.  It refers to thirteen cases for the thirteen months January 1954 – February 1955.
				

					The Gaza incident could appear in this context as retaliation for the spying, sabotage and murders for which the Egyptian military intelligence service was said to be responsible.
				

					It had several times been intimated to me by the Israel military authorities that they had evidence proving such Egyptian activities.  However, the evidence was not shown to me, presumably because the methods of espionage and counter-espionage are highly secret.  Nor had Israel referred to Egyptian intelligence activities in any complaint lodged with the Mixed Armistice Commission except in two cases.  On 3 May 1954, a complaint was submitted alleging that on the first May there had been a clash between an Israeli patrol and five armed spies sent by the Egyptian authorities.  Two of the spies were killed.  On one of them was found a report concerning the traffic on the Faluja-Beersheba road on April 30th and the first of May, 1954.  Another Israeli complaint, dated 22 November 1954, alleged that, nearly two months earlier, on 29 September, a clash had occurred between the Israeli police and an armed group of four men who had crossed the demarcation line.  One of the men was wounded and taken prisoner.  The complaint stated that the group had committed acts of violence in Israel territory from 19 to 29 September.  A United Nations Observer interrogated the prisoner, an Arab from Gaza, who stated that he was an Egyptian agent.
				

					Lacking, except in these two cases, formal complaints to the MAC by Israel linking sabotage and murders in Israeli-controlled territory with the Egyptian military intelligence service, and lacking other evidence on which I could make formal representations directly to the Egyptian authorities, I was only able to inform them of Israeli suspicions.  The position of the Egyptian authorities was that persons committing murders and sabotage were being inspired, paid and equipped by political elements in Egypt inimical to the Government, and desirous of aggravating the border situation.
				

					I may add that the Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission reported to me on 5 November 1954 that according to the Egyptian authorities, armed Israeli groups had been carrying out repeated reconnaissances deep into the Gaza Strip during the preceding three weeks.
				

					There is no peace between the two countries and a request that they should curb the activities of military intelligence in obtaining information through agents would have been of little use.  However, persons who might kill or sabotage have to cross the demarcation line to do so and a close guarding and patrolling on both sides of the line would hamper such activities, as well as those of ordinary thieves and marauders.  The willingness of the Parties to co-operate effectively in such guarding and patrolling could, to a degree, indicate whether they really desire to keep the border area quiet.
				

					On 11 November 1954, I reported to the Security Council on the situation as between Egypt and Israel, in the area of the Gaza Strip S/3319).  For some weeks prior to that report there had been much comment in the Israeli press on the deteriorating situation and hints that if it were not improved it would be impossible for Israel to remain passive.
				

					With a view to decreasing tension along the Demarcation Line, I suggested in that report that the two parties should examine in an informal meeting the possibility of agreeing on certain measures.  These were:
				

					(a) Joint patrols along sensitive sections of the Demarcation Line;
				

					(b) Negotiation of a Local Commanders’Agreement;
				

					(c) A barbed wire obstacle along certain portions of the Demarcation Line;
				

					(d) Manning of all outposts and patrols by regular Egyptian and Israeli troops.
				

					On 14 November I had a preliminary discussion on these matters with the Director of the Palestine Affairs Department of the Egyptian Ministry of War; and I discussed them on the 24th of November with the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces.  Both these Officers agreed that the proposals should be further considered.  The Israeli Chief of Staff, however, stressed his opinion that it was essentially Egypt’s responsibility to prevent infiltration.  Owing to the BAT GALIM negotiations and other difficulties, it was not until 6 January that I could arrange a joint discussion on a Gaza arrangement.  The following is a summary of the results of that meeting:
				

					(a) The Israeli representative did not consider that the institution of joint patrols by the two Parties along the Demarcation Line would serve a useful purpose at this time.  I pointed out that such joint patrols, while they might not be effective against infiltration, would prevent the recurring incidents in which fire was opened by Egyptians on Israeli patrols, or by Israelis on Egyptian position, and the mining of patrol vehicles.  All of these types of incident have been the subject of complaints in the past and occurred in the period preceding the Gaza incident.
				

				(b) After considerable discussion, it was agreed that an arrangement for the control of infiltration and incidents in the Gaza area might be made between the two Parties, on the general line of the proposed Jerusalem Area Commanders’ Arrangement, and that the Parties would consider a draft which I would prepare.
				

					(c) Both Parties felt that in principle it was desirable that those entrusted with security duties in a zone on either side of the Demarcation Line should be either regular military forces or full-time police forces.
				

					(d) The representatives considered the erection of physical obstacles to prevent infiltration, namely, barbed wire fences with mines and under observation.  The Egyptian representative was not prepared to agree to a joint effort for the erection of such an obstacle, but had no objection to Israel putting one up, if it were desired.
				

					The Israel representative has since informed me by letter dated 19 January that “we (Israel) did not, and cannot, agree to any joint responsibility regarding infiltration since, as there is no infiltration from our side, the responsibility lies solely with Egypt”.
				

					On 12 January, I sent a draft of a proposed “Arrangements for the Purpose of Preventing Incidents in the Gaza Area” to both Parties for their comments.  I received some comments from the Egyptian representative, but by the end of January Israel had not yet replied.  As a result of the Egyptian representative’s comments and further examination, a second draft (copy attached as Appendix VIII) was despatched to both Parties on the first of February under a covering letter which suggested a meeting to arrive at a final agreed text.
				

					On the eve of my departure for New York, on 12 March, I received a letter from the Israel representative in which he confirmed his agreement expressed in the informal meeting of January 6, to conclude an Area Commanders’ Arrangement in the Gaza Strip area for the purpose of preventing the crossing of the demarcation line and other breaches of the General Armistice Agreement.  A draft incorporating the Israeli proposals for an Arrangement was attached to the Israel representative’s letter.
				

					I am still of opinion that if an agreement were effected between the two Parties on the lines I have suggested, and if an honest attempt to fulfil the conditions were made by both Parties, infiltration could be reduced to an occasional nuisance, a kind of thieving which Israel must probably regard as inevitable so long as there are vast numbers of poverty-stricken refugees on her borders – more than 200,000 in the Gaza Strip alone.  Moreover, if such incidents were presented to the public by publicity media in proportion to their intrinsic importance, tendencies to demand retaliatory action could be restrained.
				

					On the other hand, though I am aware that stealing – retaliatory or not – has not been limited to one side, especially in the case of cattle, the Egyptian authorities should take appropriate measures against theft and the sale of goods such as irrigation pipes, produce, nursery stock, etc., stolen by infiltrators from Israeli settlements.  The Egyptian authorities should apply strictly the severe penalties provided by Egyptian ordinances against illegal crossing of the demarcation line, take the measures necessary to ensure that no arms or explosives are in possession of unstable elements and, especially, give adequate publicity to punishments meted out for theft or illegal crossing.  Such publicity should include notification to the MAC.  Otherwise, it is understandable that, seeing no news of infiltrators being punished, the Israelis refuse to believe that a serious attempt is being made to prevent the depredations which eventually build up tension to a dangerous point.
				

				APPENDIX I
				

				EGYPTIAN – ISRAELI MIXED ARMISTICE COMMISSION
				

				OREC-55-19
				

				4 March 1955
				

				FROM	: United Nations Observers
				

				TO	: Chairman EIMAC
				

				SUBJECT:Investigation of Egyptian Complaint E-24-55 dated 1 March 1955,
				

					  carried out ½ March 1955
				

					Text of the Complaint: That on 28 February 1955 at about 2030 local time at MR 10331007, map 1:100,000 an Israeli regular Army force, estimated two platoons strength, crossed the Armistice line and advanced more than 3 kms west of the BL well inside Egyptian controlled territory.  They were divided into three groups.  The first group advanced on Gaza main road, the second advanced through the orange groves and the third advanced from behind the railway station.  Then the three groups of the regular Israeli army force surrounded an Egyptian camp from all directions, made several openings in the defensive barbed wire by pliers and bangalore torpedoes and then attacked the soldiers in the camp by sub-machine guns, hand grenades, rifles, incendiary bombs, anti-personnel explosives, piat and rockets.  Then they detonated a large explosive charge of TNT inside a water motor pump completely destroying the building and the motor.  They also attacked the house of the railway station master by hand grenades, injuring his nine year old boy.  At the same time another Israeli regular Army force advanced to a point MR 0951 0969 where they attacked a lorry full of 22 soldiers by incendiary bombs and sub-machine guns, completely finishing them all and causing severe damage to the car.
				

					Then the Israeli marauders returned back across the DL to Israeli controlled territory.  The attack lasted for about 3 hours.  As a result of this attack 1 officer, 35 soldiers, a civilian and a seven year old boy were killed.  29 soldiers, a civilian and a 9 year old boy were wounded, and the following military arms and equipment were left behind by the Israeli raiders:
				

					A lot of hand grenades with Israeli markings
				

				2 magazines of Browning gun full of Israeli bullets
				

					4 Bangalore torpedoes were found near the defensive wire cut
				

					A lot of unexploded Israeli ammunition and Israeli cartridges
				

					Bandages with Israeli markings
				

					Piat and rocket fragments were also found
				

				1.	Tracks of the armed Israelis were obviously seen leading in both directions across the DL.  A sack of about 40 kilos of unexploded TNT was found on the spot of the incident.
				

				2.	This military warlike planned raid doubtless ordered by the Israeli authorities shows the Israeli complete disregard of the GAA and constitutes a most serious violation of Art.1 para 2 and Art. II para 2 of the GAA, of which I most vehemently protest.
				

				3.	We also consider this shocking outrage as of extreme gravity and a clear provocation to the Egyptian military forces and this dangerous situation prevailing along the DL does not maintain peace any more, and Israel must bear the consequences and full responsibility of such or other aggressions.
				

				4.	Verbal complaint and request of investigation were submitted to United Nations Observers on 28 February 1955.
				

				5.	An emergency meeting is requested immediately.
				

				Present:	Major Rosenius, Swedish Army, UN Observer
				

				Kaptajn Muller, Danish Army, UN Observer
				

				Captain Huc, Belgian Army, UN Observer
				

				Major Sedky, Senior Egyptian Delegate
				

				Major Sad Hamza, Egyptian Army
				

				Captain Asser, Egyptian Army
				

				Lieutenant Mamduh Shemas, Egyptian Army
				

				INDEX
				

				A.	Attack against the Military Camp
				

				1.	Observation 28 February in the night
				

				2.	Statements
				

				3.	Visit to the Spot
				

				4.	Sketch of the camp
				

				5.	Following the tracks to the DL
				

				6.	Sketch of the tracks
				

				B.	Attack against military truck
				

				1.	Statements
				

				2.	Visit to the Spot
				

				3.	Sketch
				

				C.	Wounded and dead
				

				1.	Visit to hospitals
				

				2.	Lists of wounded and dead
				

				D.	Summary of Main Evidence
				

				A.	Attack against the military camp
				

				1.	Observations 28 Feb. in the night
				

				At about 1900Z-1930Z undersigned observers in Gaza heard machine gun and rifle fire and explosions in the direction of the Gaza railway station.  The firing continued.  At 2025Z, 2035Z and 2045Z big explosions were heard.  The two last explosions were followed by light of fire.  All together about 10 heavy explosions were heard.  The firing stopped at about 2100Z.  At about 2115Z automatic fire was heard from further south in the direction of Khan Yunis.  During the whole firing search lights were seen in the general direction of kilo 95, apparently from the Israeli side of the D/L.
				

				2.	Statements
				

				(a)   Statements of Sergeant Major ABDUL BASET ISMAIL, given in Arabic to Major Rosenius on 1 March as interpreted by Major Sedky:
				

				“At about 15 minutes past 8 I heard some shooting far from here in the direction of east.  It was two bursts of sub machine gun.  I prepared myself and ordered my soldiers to occupy the trenches.  After half an hour an attack started from the northern direction by sub machine guns.  Then the attackers separated in two directions, the first party came along the main road, the other party surrounded my camp from the north.  We replied the fire, then we were attacked by bazookas and TNT blocks and hand grenades.  Their attack reached our two northern trenches.  Then the firing stayed for about 3 hours.  They forced our camp in spite of our resistance and they blew up the camp”.
				

				Q.	How many people were killed or wounded?
				

				A.7 soldiers of my unit were killed and the captain in command.  9 soldiers were
				

				injured.
				

				Q.	There are two burnt cars on the road.  What about them?
				

				A.	The Israelis tried to steal the cars.  They were in the camp.  They put fire on them themselves and blew them up.
				

				Q.	Did you see any of the attackers?
				

				A.	Yes I saw some very clearly and close to me.
				

				Q.	How were they dressed?
				

				A.	Some of them wore khaki uniforms, others over alls, some with khaki caps, others with helmets.
				

				Q.	Did you see if any of the attackers was hit or wounded?
				

				A.	I saw many of them were shot and wounded, at least three on the asphalt road and two inside the camp itself.
				

				Q.	At which time did the attackers withdraw?
				

				A.	At about 12 o’clock.
				

				Q.	In which direction did the attackers withdraw?
				

				A.	By the asphalt road in northern direction.
				

					(b) Statement of Sergeant KALIPHA AHMED, given in Arabic to Major Rosenius on 1 March as interpreted by Major Sedky:
				

				“I was at the camel camp when the shooting started.  I saw the firing coming from the northern direction at about 10 o’clock.  When they tried to force the other camp we directed our firing to the attackers.  Then we heard and saw a lot of explosions when they blew up the other camp”.
				

				Q.	Did any attacker reach the camel camp?
				

				A.	No, only one camel was killed.
				

					(c) Statement of soldier AHMED SHABAR, given in Arabic to Major Rosenius on 1 March as interpreted by Major Sedky:
				

				“We were sleeping in our tents.  We had three guards outside.  When one of the guards felt – before the firing from the other position – that some strangers were around him, he challenged them.  The he got firing on him.  We all woke up and started to fire upon the attackers.  We had our ammunition in the middle tent.  During the firing the ammunition exploded and the tent caught fire.  I have 4 soldiers killed and 6 other were injured.
				

				Q.	At which time did the attackers withdraw?
				

				A.	At about half past eleven.
				

					(d) Statement of wounded soldier ABAS ABDUL KHAIR, given in Arabic on 2 March to Major Rosenius as interpreted by Major Sedky:
				

				Q.	Where were you when the shooting started?
				

				A.	In the northern part of the camp.
				

				Q.	Were you in a trench or in a tent when the shooting started?
				

				A.	In the trench.
				

				Q.	When did you get wounded?
				

				A.	After one hour.
				

				Q.	Did you see the attackers?
				

				A.	Yes, I saw them.
				

				Q.	Did you see how they were dressed?
				

				A.	It was dark, I did not see.
				

				Q.	What sort of weapons did the attackers use?
				

				A.	Automatic weapons, hand grenades, TNT blocks and other weapons.
				

				Q.	Do you have any idea how many were the attackers?
				

				A.	I can not estimate them but front area was full of them.
				

				3.	Visit to the spot on the morning of 1 March (Major Rosenius and Kaptajn Muller)
				

					(a) In the military camp at “A” one stone building and four Nissen huts were completely blown up.  Pieces were scattered all over the ground.  It is estimated that 30-40 kilos of explosives were used for the stone building and at least 5 kilos each for the huts, which had brick walls.  1 brown Mills hand grenade without letters was found at “L”.
				

				At “B” there was a cut in the barbed wire fence.  There were found seven empty and one live cartridges, cal. .30 marked PS-48.
				

				At “C” was found 1 brown Mills hand grenade without letters outside a tent.  Impact of one exploded hand grenade was seen too.  38 live and 12 empty cartridges, cal. .30 marked PS-48 and 32 empty cartridges 9 mm marked PS-47 were found.  In one tent was a blood pool.
				

					Near the road the barbed wire fence was blown up.
				

				(b) At “D” a concrete pump house was completely blown up.  Pieces were scattered all over the ground.  It is estimated that 60-70 kilos of explosives were used.  Near the pump house were found three boxes for carrying bazooka projectiles, 73 mm, AC, model 1950; near and in some Egyptian trenches were found.  One TNT block, one Egyptian uniform jacket with bloodstains, part of a field dressing and one bloody jacket in which was a purse containing about 200 prutot in Israeli money.  Outside a tent was a blood pool.  A barbed wire fence was cut and there was found a piece of a bangalore torpedo, and one Mills hand grenade with Israeli letters.
				

				(c) At “E” was a burnt tent.  Outside were seen some burnt rifles, 3 bloody Egyptian caps with pieces of brain substance, 3 big blood pools, one empty ammunition parcel with Israeli letters, one exploded bangalore torpedo with Israeli letters and two unexploded Mills hand grenades with Israeli letters.  Plenty of empty cartridges, cal. 9 mm with Israeli letters, were scattered over the ground not far from the spot of the tent, and 5 empty cartridges cal. 11 mm, marked Western-45-Auto.
				

				(d) At the railway station hand grenades had been thrown into the house of the station master, into the rest room and into the lavatory.  Safety rings and pieces of grenades were found.  In the station master’s house was one unexploded Mills hand grenade with Israeli letters.  An Egyptian truck with bullet holes was standing outside the buildings.  Near it was an impact of a hand grenade in the ground.
				

				(e) At “G” were two big blood pools on the road.  Close to the road were found one bangalore torpedo with Israeli letters, one bazooka projectile, 73 mm with Israeli letters, one LHG magazine full of cartridge cal. .30 marked PS-48 and one torch with batteries with Israeli letters.
				

				At “H” was a dead camel.
				

				At “I” on the road there was a burnt jeep.
				

				(f) At “J” in the ditch east of the road were found a sack of TNT, about 15 kilo, the first part of a bazooka projectile, 73 mm., with Israeli letters, some pieces of toffee and one empty cartridge cal. .30, marked 1-48-2.  Tracks indicated that people had been crawling in the ditch.  At “K” the gate to a house was blown up.  In the ditch were found an empty ammunition package with Israeli letters and a morphine tube with needle, marked E.R. Squibb & Sons.  Tracks indicated that people had been crawling in the ditch from “L”.  At “L” were found three 9 mm empty cartridges with Israeli letters.
				

				(g) At “M” on the road was a burnt and blown up Egyptian Truck.  Pieces of metal were found spread around.  From “M” there was a path leading in the general direction of East.  Tracks indicated that many people had been walking to and from the road between “M” and “N” and further East, and most of them were wearing heavy boots, some with nails.  A pair of clearly recognized footprints leading both directions, were from shoes with rubber soles.  Between “M” and “N” were found many blood stains, some parts of brain substance, two Mills hand grenades with Israeli letters, a bangalore torpedo with Israeli letters, one bazooka projectile 73 mm, with Israeli letters, a TNT block, an empty sten gun magazine, 15 empty cartridges cal. .30 marked PS-48, 9 empty cartridges 9 mm marked 47-8, two caps of kibbutz type, one woolen cap, one bloody pull over, one bloody water field bottle, toffees some pieces of which had papers marked “RAHAT GAN ISRAEL” and one pencil.  The empty cartridges were found close to the road at “M”.
				

				(h) Along “M” – “O” – “P” – “Q” – “R” were seen tracks of 4 – 6 people some of them wearing boots with nails.  To and from “Q” were leading tracks of 1 – 2 men.  At “Q” was a bloody vield dressing.
				

					[Map to be inserted]
				

				5.	Following the tracks to the D/L (Kaptajn Muller) (See the sketch)
				

	(a) The actual tracking started at 010700z.  The tracking party consisted of the following persons:

				Kaptajn Muller, U.N. Observer
				

				Lt. Namduh Shemas, Egyptian Army, and
				

				Said Ali Abu Abueli, Army Tracker.
				

				The undersigned found several tracks going through the orange grove.  One set of tracks showed rubber shoes, all the others bore evidence of army boots with nails.  The tracks both incoming and outgoing were passing through the orange grove, as shown on the attached sketch at MR 0100 0275, map 1/25,000.  The incoming tracks led southwards over newly cultivated fields, crossing the asphalt road that leads to Gaza Landing Strip, coming through the green fields with 50 centimeter high crops; the crops were trampled and a clear path about 90 cms wide was made all the way up to the D/L.  It was impossible to say how many tracks there were, but according to the army tracker at least 50 men had passed through the field.  The tracks led to, and crossed the D/L at point A (MR 03250065, map 1/25,000).  The tracks could be seen in Israeli territory leading in South East direction.  The outgoing tracks (returning tracks) were followed from the edge of the orange grove leading in the same direction as the incoming tracks 40 meters apart.  At point “G” (MR 01670140, map 1/25,000) they were divided in three lines with a distance of about 35 to 40 meters apart leading all the way up to the D/L.  They crossed the D/L at point “D” (MR 02850039, map 1/25,000) leading in the South direction along the vehicle’s tracks in Israeli territory.
				

					(b) Statement (taken by Kaptajn Muller).
				

				When tracking team reached point “B”, see attached sketch, on the incoming tracks, they met an Egyptian Corporal I/C of an outpost in the vicinity.  He stated the following in Arabic translated by Lt. Shema.
				

				“Last night (between 28 Feb and 1st March ‘55) at about 1800Z one of our sentry tranches was attacked by the Israelis.  They killed two men, one in the trench itself, the other just outside the trench.  They used a bangalore torpedo to cut through the wire fence.  There were many soldiers, I think at least 50.  We fired on them from our position.  They fled away in several directions.”
				

				The undersigned visited the spot where the two Egyptian soldiers were killed at point “B” (MR 01300155, map 1/25,000).  One big blood pool and an army beret with several bloodstains were found in the above mentioned trench.  Another blood pool and an army beret was found 20 meters to the East of the trench.  A lot of empty cartridges were found in and around the trench, and several other items indicated in the list of evidence.
				

				© Evidence found on the tracking from edge of orange grove up to D/L (Kaptajn M).
				

				All the way up to the D/L plenty of fresh blood stains.
				

				At point “B” and the area around:
				

Army berets with blood stains.
Empty Sten gun cartridges.
live    “    ”      “      
slabs of TNT.) 
unexploded 73mm bazooka projectile
bangalore with live detonators
Several empty Sten gun Ammunition pockets 
empty rifle cartridges, British type

)
)
)
)   All with Israeli markings
)
)
)

Around in the field at point “C”:
Army jackets with blood stains
used field dressing full of blood	
Sten gun magazines, 2 full of rounds 1 empty
Browning automatic machine gun
Browning automatic machine gun magazines)
full, 1 with 6 rounds
live Mills hand grenades
live rifle cartridges
live 9mm rounds
tail from 73 mm bazooka projectile.

)
)
)
)
)  All with Israeli markings
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Between point “C” and “D” the following:
2 live bangalore torpedoes
5 live rifle rounds
2 empty packets of Sten gun Ammunition
Several used field dressings with blood
Many blood pools and blood stains all the way up to D/L, and right in the 

)
)
)
(   All with Israeli markings
)

)

)
)

				[Sketch of tracks]
				

				B. 	Attack against Military Truck
				

				1.	Statements:
				

				On 1 March 1955 Capt. Huc was despatched to the south of Gaza where a military truck had been attacked, and reached the spot at 0500z.  The incident took place on the main road Rafah-Gaza, 6 kms south of Gaza, MR 954 – 972.
				

				According to Major Saad Hamza, the car was loaded with 35 soldiers plus one officer; the officer was injured, 22 soldiers were killed and 12 injured.
				

				The injured and dead bodies were evacuated to the municipality hospital in Gaza and to Rafah Hospital.
				

				Two witnesses were immediately interrogated separately.
				

				(a) Statement of Ahmed Mohamed Elisis, driver of the truck, given in Arabic, translated by Major Saad Hamza:
				

					“On 28 February 1955 I was driving this truck in the direction of Gaza.  When we arrived on this spot (“F” on sketch) we were fired at with machine guns and then something exploded on the right side of the road and made a smoke-screen and a bright flame.  I was then unable to keep the car on the road, probably because of a flat tyre, and the truck stopped in the field west of the road (“A” on sketch).  The officer beside me told me that he was injured; I opened the car and pulled him out, and we crawled then to these houses (200 metres west of the road) to give him first aid.  When we left the car I heard heavy machine gun, rifle fire and explosions, then the car started to burn.”
				

					“The firing lasted for about half an hour; half an hour after the ceasing of fire a doctor came to the house to give first aid to the officer.”
				

				Q.	Could you tell me at what time exactly the fire was opened?
				

				A.	I had no watch, but it was nearly midnight.
				

				Q.	Did you see the people who were firing at you?
				

				A.	I could not see anything because of the smoke.
				

				(b) Statement of Resk Salim Abd Rabbo, guard of the traffic checkpost situated 150 meters north of the incident; given in Arabic, translated into English by Major Saad Hamza:
				

					“Yesterday at about 2130z, I saw the light of a car coming from the south and going in the direction of Gaza; when the car was about 300 metres I was standing at the side of the road with the intention of stopping the vehicle, but at once I saw fire coming from the east side of the road and an explosion on the road.”
				

					“I lay down immediately and heard somebody shouting ‘Kadima’; then I saw some soldiers advancing towards the car and throwing hand grenades in it.  I went back to the checkpost; there everybody jumped in the trenches and started to fire against the attackers; we could see them because something was burning on the side of the road.  The truck started to burn and after one hour I saw the attackers crossing the road from west to east, I came near the truck but could not approach it as ammunition was exploding inside.  After the ammunition stopped bursting, but fire was still going on, we reached the car and started to drag the living soldiers out, and the dead bodies were left inside till the fire was extinguished.  A doctor came and took some of the injured to Gaza and some others were sent to Rafah.”
				

				Q.	How many attackers did you see?
				

				A.	I did not count them but I think there were about 40.
				

				Q.	How were they dressed?
				

				A.	I cannot say exactly, but the colour of their clothes was lighter then our khaki, and they were all dressed in the same manner.
				

				Q.	When they retreated did you see the direction they took?
				

				A.	I only saw them retreating from the west side to the east side of the road.
				

				On 2-3-55 Capt. Huc, accompanied by Major Sedky, proceeded to the Municipality Hospital in Gaza to interrogate the officer who was wounded in the truck.
				

				© Statement of Lieut. Hassan Abdullah, given in English:
				

					“On 28-2-55, at about 2045z, I left my camp with a lorry loaded with about 33 soldiers.  We proceeded in the direction of Gaza, and before we reached the town, at about 6 kms south, my car was suddenly faced with an ambush.  I saw and heard an explosion in front of the car and we were obliged to stop.”
				

					“The Israelis opened fire and three hand grenades inside the car; the soldiers could not alight from the car and most of them were killed.  I was injured in my left foot; I fell to the ground and fainted.  When I came back to my senses I saw more explosions inside the car; then I withdrew and went to report what had happened.  After a while an ambulance came.  I collected some of the wounded soldiers and brought them to Gaza Hospital; some others were transferred to Rafah.”
				

				Q.	Could you tell me the exact time of the attach?
				

				A.	It was about 2110z.
				

				Q.	Did you see the people who were firing at you?
				

				A.	No.
				

				Q.	When were you injured?
				

				A.	Immediately after the car stopped.
				

				Q.	Did anybody help you to withdraw?
				

				A.	Yes, the driver was not hurt; he helped me.
				

				Q.	Did any of your soldiers return the fire?
				

				A.	I think two or three soldiers were able to jump out, took up positions and returned the fire.
				

				Q.	How long did the fire last?
				

				A.	About half an hour.
				

				Q.	Could you tell me how many were killed and injured?
				

				A.	I cannot say exactly, but most of them were killed.
				

				(2) Visit to the Spot (See attached sketch)
				

				On the west side, and at a distance of 8 metres from the road, stood a 3-ton military truck (“A” on sketch) riddled with bullet impacts:
				

					41 bullet impacts on the left side in the metal parts only.
				

					37 bullet impacts on the rear, in metal parts only.
				

					24 impacts on the right side, in metal parts only.
				

					 3 bullet impacts in the windshield.
				

				The canvas cover was also riddled with bullet holes, and the rear part was burned.  Three types were flat.
				

				Inside the truck
				

				Traces of burns in two placed; the floors were covered with hundreds of exploded cartridges; hand grenades splinters and some military equipment, covered and soaked with blood.
				

				Behind the car
				

				A heap composed of 13 perforated helmets, a lot of military equipment, covered and soaked with blood.
				

				Around the car:
				

				1.	A tail or rocket 73 mms.
				

				2.	One hand grenade safety pin.
				

				3.	One bakelite cover.
				

				4.	57 smashed bullets were collected.
				

				5.	One unexploded hand grenade with Hebrew markings.
				

				6.	Three hand grenade spoons.
				

				7.	Several big splinters of hand grenade.
				

				East side of the road on soft shoulder of the road.  At 30 metres behind the car (“B” on sketch) a piece of burned jerrican and traces of burns were seen spread over about 25 square metres.
				

				East side of road. At about 12 metres from the road several traces were seen, where men had been lying (“C” on sketch).
				

				Collected on this spot:
				

					5 magazines of LMG calibre 11 mm.
				

					2 magazines Sten gun.
				

					1 carton of 2" mortar shell.
				

					25 rifle cartridge cases “1943 D-Z”
				

					1 carton cap or rocket 73 mms AC.
				

					130 cartridge cases 11 mm “E-C-42".
				

					253 sten gun cartridge cases “11-47-Z”
				

					3 hand grenade safety pins.
				

					2 tubes with Hebrew markings.
				

					1 khaki hat.
				

				West side of the road. At 20 metres south of the car (“D” on sketch) was a ditch with several traces of firing positions.
				

				Collected on this spot:
				

					4 hand grenade safety pins.
				

					69 Sten gun cartridge cases “11-47-Z”.
				

					20 cartridge cases 11 mm “E-C-42".
				

					 7 rifle cartridge cases “1943 D-Z”.
				

					 1 Sten gun magazine.
				

				North of the incident: At about 150 metres from the truck there is a traffic check post, on the east side of the road, which consists of a small building. (“E” on the sketch).  On the south wall of this building 25 bullet impacts were seen.  Two metres south of the same wall an unexploded rocket 73 mm with Hebrew markings was found.
				

				Tracks
				

				From the spot of the incident several tracks of men wearing books could be followed easily through the corn fields; the corn was trampled on about 30 cms wide; through ploughed fields the earth was pressed down on about 30 cms wide tracks.  It was impossible to count the number of tracks as they were very close together, but according to a tracker there were about fifteen.  These tracks crossed the DL at MR 956-933 approximately.  The length of the pathway caused by the tracks, followed from the spot of the incident to the DL, was about 4 km 500 metres.  Some incoming tracks crossed the DL at MR 957-934 approximately, were similar to the outgoing tracks and followed generally the same route.
				

				map captain huc Belgian army
				

				C.	Dead and wounded.
				

				1.	Visit to hospital.
				

				On 1 March in the morning when the investigation started, the dead and the wounded were already taken to hospital.
				

				On 1 March UN Observer Major Rosenius went to OMS hospital in Gaza and saw 11 of the bodies of the killed men.  One body was already released to relatives according to the statement of the doctor in charge.
				

				The rest of the bodies were in the Government hospital but due to the situation in Gaza they could not be inspected the same day.  On 2 March when the investigation continued the dead were already buried.
				

				On 2 March Major Rosenius saw 7 of the wounded at CMS hospital and 6 the Government hospital according to the doctors in charge.
				

				SED Major Sedky stated that 4 of the wounded were taken to the Rafah hospital.
				

				2.	SED Major Sedky stated that two civilians, one of them a 7 year old boy, were killed at the attack against the camp.  One of them was the guard of the pump station, the boy was living in a house near the camp.  One civilian, the boy’s father was wounded.
				

				3.	The following lists are attached:
				

				Lists of wounded and dead brought to CMS hospital
				

				Lists of wounded and dead brought to the Government hospital
				

				List of wounded brought to the Rafah hospital
				

				STERLING MEMORIAL HOSPITAL GAZA
				

				——————————-
				

				Wounded brought to hospital 28/2/55 and 1/3/55
				

Serial No.	Our No.	Name	Injury	Status No.
1	M-631	Sayyed Ahmed Mohammed Seddiik	Gun shot wound Fracture left Leg (Fibula).	Still in Hospital
2	M-855	Zein al Abdeen Hassan	G.S.W. left	Still in Hospital
3	M-857	Balla Mohammed Edrine	G.S.W. left hand injury	Still in Hospital
4	M-854	Awadh Hassan Ballah	G.S.W. hand and lip, bruise of Chest	Still in Hospital
5	M-861	Moussa Mohammed Balen	G.S.W. left leg with fracture, Fracture left Wrist, skull fracture	Still in Hospital
6	M-862	Hassan Doeb Nasraliah	G.S.W. left arm,head and chest	Still in Hospital
7	M-863	Abd Khalil Hillis	G.S.W. left arm and hand	Still in Hospital
8	M-858	Mohammad Aish Elfar	Burns of both hands	Still in Hospital
9	M-864	No name available	G.S.W. left side Died 1 A.M. Of abdomen.	Died 1 A.M. a March 1955

				STERLING MEMORIAL HOSPITAL GAZA
				

				—————
				

				Soldiers brought in on 28/2/55 and 1 March ‘55,
				

				and were dead on arrival
				

SeriaNo.	Our No.	Name.	Injury.	Nationality.
1	M-865	No name available	Gun shot woundMouth and head	Egyptian or Sudanese
2	M-866	Mustafa Mohammed Ahmed	MG.S.W. left cheek	Egyptian or Sudanese
3	M-867	Hamadan Abdulla Hassan“	G.S.W. left chest skull and thigh	Egyptian or Sudanese
4	M-868	Mohammed Hamoad Nasamallah	G.S.W. neck, head, and rt. Hand	Egyptian or Sudanese
5	M-869	Yousif Hassan Ahmed	G.S.W. chest	Egyptian or Sudanese
6	M-870	Corp. Mohamme dAhmed	G.S.W. both thighspelvis and left Elbow	Egyptian or Sudanese
7	M-871	Eyada Ahmed Bainigi	G.S.W. head	Palestinian
8	M-872	Ibrahim Husein Ghabin	G.S.W. right leg	Palestinian
9	M-873	Moussa Darwish Gandael	G.S.W. chest and abdomen	Palestinian
10	M-874	Mahmoud Mohammed Abd il Hai (civilian)	Burn	Palestinian
11	M-875	Attai Ibrahim Baker	Asphyxia	Palestinian

				*****************
				

				2/3/1955								Sd. James McRae M.D.
				

				LIST OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS RECEIVED BY THE MUNICIPAL
				

				HOSPITAL ON 28 SEPTEMBER 1955.
				

1	Abu Rabbo Ham-dan Saleh	Extensive burn of back compound fracture right first metatarsal. Shrapnels of left leg, thigh and buttocks.
2	Mohamed El kadi	Bullet wound through the back of the right thigh.
3	Mohamed Ali Saleh Abd	Multiple shrapnel wounds right chest right haemothorox.
3	Lt. Gomaa Abdul Drag	penetrating bullet wound through left sole fracture second metatarsal
5	Alma El Hoda Ali Queraiem	Fracture left foot
6	Awad Mahmoud	Bullet wound left arm, compound fracture left humours
7	Abd El Hamid Ab Habib	Extensive burn of back, shrapnel wounds right forearm
8	El Said Mahmoud El Said	Bullet wound left ring finger with compound fracture.
9	Abbas Abd El Kheir	Four bullet wounds right buttock, bullet wound left forearm, fracture left forearm.
10	Ibrahim Khalil Mattar	Multiple shrapnel wounds forehead, bullet wound left forearm
11	Sherbin El Metwali	Bullet would left ankle, fracture calcalium.
12	Mahmoud El Mahalowi	Multiple wounds both buttocks penetrating bullet wound upper left thigh, bullet wound right ankle.
13	Mohamed Khalil Mattar	Penetrating bullet wound of right shoulder.
14	Mohamed Keri Ali	Bullet wound right thigh. Discharged from hospital.

				These together with five other slight injuries which needed dressing and no admission.
				

				LIST OF MORTALITIES AMONG SOLDIERS RECEIVED
				

				BY MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL GAZA ON 28/2/1955
				

1	Captain Mahmoud Ahmed Sadek	Bullet wound through skull, multiple bullet wounds of legs and shoulders
2	El Said Eid Tesh	Bullet wound through the chest, multiple bullets through abdomen and thighs
3	Mohamed Hassan	Bullet through the left ear, shrapnels of face
4	Sgt. Abd El Moati Abd El Gani	Two bullet wounds through the abdomen.
	Abd El meamed Nawari	Bullet through the forehead
6	Atta El Nelw	Bullet through the forehead
7	Hafez Gaser El Nagar	Fracture skull, burn of the lower half of the trunk
8	Gabr Eid Solima	Bullet through the chest and abdomen, burn of back
9	Hatem Mahmoud Diab El Weledi	Multiple bullets through the head and trunk
10	Eid Rageb Zaher	Extensive burn of the whole body
11	Moustafa Henawi	Shrapnel wounds of face, burn of chest and abdomen
12	Mousa Abdallah Hassan	Extensive burn of the whole body
13	Hashem Ism ail Mohamed	Multiple bullets of face, burn of trunk
14	Mohamed Salem Gendia	Three bullet wounds of chest, burn of chest and trunk
15	Ahmed Shabban Abu Warda	Three bullet wounds in lower abdomen
16	Mohamed Abd Rabu Shamali	Extensive burn of the whole body, burn of face and chest
17	Soliman Ismail Sakem	Nearly complete charring
18	Sobhi Salim El Garbawi	Bullet wound forehead, and chest
19	Mohamed Said Abd El Aziz	Bullet wound of chest, burn of face and chest
20	Ahmed Salem Abu Omar	Extensive burn of body and compound fracture right
21	Nawafi Ismail Baroud	Extensive burn of body, bullet right thigh
22	ohamed Al Abd Koushak	Extensive burn of chest and abdomen
23	Ataia Abd El Gani Nosmar	Extensive burn nearly charring
24	Mohamed Ibrahim Zakout	Bullets through forehead, burn of face and limbs
25	Ahmed Ibrahim Moussa El Masri	Three bullets in chest, burn of body
26	Unknown child, bullet wound of abdomen	Director of Municipal Hospital Gaza, Dr. Mohamed Abd El Ftah El Magrabi

				MEDICAL REPORTS OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS WHO WERE TRANSFERRED
				

				TO RAFAH ARMY HOSPITAL FROM THE ATTACK ON THE ARMY WAGON
				

				ON THE ROAD FROM RAFAH TO GAZA ON 28-2-55 AT NIGHT
				

				———————————————————
				

				1.	Mohamad Mohamed Hamda, soldier
				

					This patient injured with a gunshot wound in the abdomen with preformation of the small and large intestine, complicated with peritonitis.  The case is accompanied by severe shock.
				

				2.	Hassan Hazzah El Wahidy, soldier.
				

					This patient is injured with gunshot wound in the abdomen with perforation of small and large intestine.  The case is accompanied with severe shock.
				

				3.	Ahmed Khalil Abdel Hadi, soldier.
				

					This patient is injured with third degree burn of the whole left lower limb and the left hand.  Bomb explosion in the right upper limb which caused amputation, with a crush in the right forearm and compound fracture in the right arm.  The case is accompanied with a state of very severe shock.
				

				4.	Aly khich El Berry, soldier
				

					This patient injured with gunshot would in the scalp.  Bomb explosion in the right hand causing compound fracture, in the right index and thumb.  These four cases were transferred to Arish Military Hospital after first aid and anti-shock treatment had been given in Rafah Military Hospital.
				

M.K. ABD EL-KASIM
Military Hospital, Rafah
1-3-55

				E.	Summary of main evidence
				

				1.	Attack against military camp
				

				(a) Result of the attack:
				

					One Egyptian Captain and 13 soldiers killed, 15 soldiers wounded, two civilians killed, one of them a seven-year-old boy, one civilian wounded.
				

					One military stone building blown up
				

					One concrete pump house blown up
				

					Four Nissen huts with brick walls blown up.
				

				(b) Items found at the camp and along the tracks to the DL:
				

					5 unexploded bangalore torpedoes with Israeli markings
				

					9 unexploded Mills hand grenades with Israeli markings
				

					3 unexploded bazooka projectiles 73 mm with Israeli markings
				

					2 parts of bazooka projectiles with Israeli markings
				

					5 TNT blocks with attached detonator of about 1 pound each
				

					1 sack with TNT
				

					1 Browning LMG with Israeli markings
				

					4 LMG magazines
				

					4 Sten gun magazines
				

					1 bloody jacket containing a purse with Israeli money
				

					Several empty ammunition packages with Israeli letters
				

					Many Israeli cartridges with Israeli markings
				

					1 torch with batteries with Israeli letters
				

				© 	Tracks:
				

					Tracks of at least 50 people with heavy boots, crossing the DL from Israel, leading to the spot of the attack and back again to Israel
				

				2.	Attack against military truck
				

				(a) Result of the attack:
				

					22 soldiers killed
				

					13 soldiers wounded (including one Lieutenant)
				

					 1 Egyptian truck destroyed
				

				(b) Items found on the spot of the incident:
				

					1 Mills hand grenade with Israeli markings
				

					1 unexploded bazooka projectile 73 mm with Israeli markings
				

					Some small items with Israeli letters
				

				(C) Tracks of about 15 people with heavy boots, crossing the DL from Israel leading to the spot of the attack and back again to Israel
				

(Signed) Major Rosenius
Swedish Army
UN Observer

(Signed) Kaptajn Muller
Danish Army
UN Observer

(Signed) Captain Huc
Belgian Army
UN Observer

				(Signed) NOTED BY CHAIRMAN
				

				APPENDIX II
				

				EGYPTIAN – ISRAELI MIXED ARMISTICE COMMISSION
				

				ORIC-55-24
				

				4 March 1955
				

				FROM:	UN Observer
				

				TO:	Chairman EIMAC
				

				SUBJECT: Investigation into Israeli Complaint I-53-55 dated 1 March 1955, carried out on 2 March 1955
				

				1.	Summary of the Complaint:	On 28 February between 2100 and 2200 local time, an Israeli routine patrol on duty along the DL was ambushed by an Egyptian force.  As a result of the ambush, a running fight ensues in which a number of Israeli soldiers were wounded.
				

				2.	Present:	Major D.C. Schumacher, UN Observer
				

					Capt. Neuberger, Israeli Delegate
				

					Capt. Golan, Israeli Officer
				

					Capt. Baxerres, UN Observer
				

					Lt. Meyer, Israeli Officer
				

				3.	The undersigned proceeded near the spot where the alleged attack took place, arriving there at approximately 1630 local time on 2 March 1955.  Upon being informed that the area near and surrounding the spot of the alleged attack was mined, an effort to view the area from close-up was abandoned and the two officers involved in the incident were interviewed.
				

				4.	Statement of Lt. Meyer:
				

					I was in charge of a patrol consisting of one and a half squads and proceeding on foot in a westerly direction towards the DL.  The purpose of the patrol was to post guards around the fields in order to discourage illegal harvesting of crops.  When my men had reached a spot about 100 metres from the DL and at about 2045 local time, fire was opened on me straight from the west.
				

				Q.	What type of fire?
				

				A.	Rifles and about two or three automatic weapons.
				

				Q.	Was the fire coming from the other side of the DL or on your side?
				

				A.	It was dark, but I would say that it was coming from the Israeli side and was quite heavy, and close.
				

				Q.	What did you do immediately after being fired upon?
				

				A.	After the first volley of shots I had some of my soldiers wounded.  I ordered my men to take cover as best they could in the field and return the fire.  More of my soldiers were wounded and additional fire was opened at me from my right in the direction of Kilo. 95.  Since the ground behind me and to both sides was flat I could not withdraw, so I sent one of my soldiers for help.
				

				Q.	How long after you sent for help did it arrive?
				

				A.	About 20 or 30 minutes.
				

					When Capt. Golan arrived with help I told him my position and he ordered me to stay in my position until ordered back.
				

				5.	Questioning of Capt. Golan:
				

				Q.	When you arrived with help, what did you see and do?
				

				A.	A soldier came to me and said that a patrol had been ambushed, had some wounded men and could not withdraw because of unfavourable terrain and heavy fire.  I took two platoons of men and when I arrived at the scene I saw fire coming from almost due west, towards Gaza, from the left of kilo 95, from almost behind it and from the right of it.  I told Lt. Meyer to stay put until further ordered and split my men up.  I sent one bunch to the right towards the Egyptian positions utilizing rifle, automatic weapons and 2-inch mortars against them, and I took the other against the attacking force of Egyptians in front of us.
				

				Q.	How far did you advance into Egyptian territory?
				

				A.	I do not know, since it was dark and the terrain was unfamiliar and then, too, we were fighting.  However, it was some distance.  I disengaged as soon as I thought I had given Lt. Meyer and his men enough cover and then ordered him to withdraw.
				

				Q.	Then what did you do?
				

				A.	I kept up a few minutes’fire and then withdrew.
				

				Q.	How many casualties did you suffer?
				

				A.	I would prefer not to answer that.
				

				Q.	Do either you or Lt. Meyer have anything to add to what you have already said?
				

				A.	(Capt. Golan) No.
				

					(Lt. Meyer) No.
				

				6.	Two wounded soldiers were interrogated at approximately 1100 hours local time at a hospital in Tel Aviv on 3 March 1955.
				

				7.	Statement of Pvt. Uri Chachutta: made in Hebrew, translated by Israel delegate into English:
				

					“I was on a patrol on 28 February 1955 when between 2030 and 2100 hours local time the patrol was fired upon and I was wounded in the left leg.
				

				Q.	How far were you from the DL?
				

				A.	About 200 yards on the Israeli side of the DL.
				

				Q.	From where did the fire come?
				

				A.	From the west and near the DL.
				

				Q.	How long did you remain in the area?
				

				A.	Help came in about 20 minutes and about 30 minutes later I was removed.
				

				8.	Pvt. Peretz Shlomo was also interviewed in English and his story was similar to that of Pvt. Shachutta’s.  The only difference was that Pvt. Shlomo was wounded in the head and was unconscious for a while.
				

				9.	At about 1700 local time on 3 March 1955 the undersigned, in the company of Capt. Neuberger and Capt. Baxerres visited the spot of the alleged attack, MR 032 005.
				

				8.	Evidence:
				

					Evidence of the movement of considerable men was seen.  However, due to the nature of the terrain it was impossible to determine the number.  In one spot crossing the DL a regular path had been made through the grass, indicating the passing of a large number of personnel in single file.  No definite evidence of a fight having taken place in the area was discovered.
				

(Signed) D.C. Schumacher
Major USAF
UN Observer

				(Signed)
				

				NOTED BY CHAIRMAN
				

				(Space for map)
				

				APPENDIX III
				

				HEADQUARTERS
				

				TRUCE SUPERVISION ORGANIZATION
				

				JERUSALEM, PALESTINE
				

				6 March 1955
				

					At an emergency meeting of the Egyptian-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission held at Kilo 95 on 6 March 1955, the following resolution submitted by the Egyptian Delegation was adopted, the Egyptian Delegation and the Chairman voting in favour and the Israel Delegation against:
				

					“The Mixed Armistice Commission,
				

					Having discussed Egyptian complaint No. E-24-55 and the investigation report made by the United Nations Military Observers, Major Rosenius, Swedish Army, Captain Muller, Danish Army, and Captain Huc, Belgian Army:
				

				1.	FINDS that on the night of 28 February 1955, at 2030 local time, a unit of the Israeli regular army force estimated at two platoons strength, crossed the Armistice Demarcation Line, east of Gaza, and advanced well inside Egyptian controlled territory for more than three kilometres.  This unit was armed with rifles, light automatic, sub-machine guns, two-inch mortars, bazooka projectiles, hand-grenades, bangalore torpedoes and a huge amount of explosive charges, estimated at approximately 120 kilos, and TNT blocks.
				

				2.	FURTHER FINDS that the above-mentioned unit committed the following brutal aggressions:
				

					(a) Attached an Egyptian military camp completely blowing up one military stone building and four Nissen huts with brick walls and setting fire on some tents inside the camp and two vehicles;
				

					(b) Completely blew up a concrete water pump house, including the pump and the motor engine which supplies a part of Gaza area with water;
				

					© Attacked the gaza Station Master’s house and threw hand-grenades inside it, causing the injuring of his nine-year-old boy.
				

				3.	FURTHER FINDS that another unit of the Israeli regular army force crossed the Armistice Demarcation Line six kilometres southeast of Gaza and advanced well inside the Egyptian-controlled territory for three kilometres until they reached Rafah-Gaza highway, they ambushed a military truck carrying a Lieutenant and 34 other ranks and attacked them with hand-grenades, bazooka projectiles and eight automatic while moving from south to north to reinforce the garrison of the said camp.
				

				4.	FURTHER FINDS that, as a result of the above-mentioned aggression:
				

					(a) One captain, 35 soldiers and two civilians were killed;
				

					(b) One lieutenant, 28 soldiers, and two civilians were wounded.
				

				5.	CONDEMNS Israel for the above-mentioned prearranged and planned attack ordered by Israeli Authorities which is committed by Israeli regular army forces against the Egyptian regular army force.
				

				6.	NOTES with grave concern the serious situation prevailing along the Gaza Strip resulting from this attack.
				

				7.	DECIDES that this aggression is a violation of Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, Article II, paragraph 2, and Article V, paragraph 3 of the General Armistice Agreement.
				

					At the same meeting the Israeli Delegation submitted the following resolution, which was not adopted, Israel voting for, Egypt against and the Chairman abstaining:
				

					“The Egyptian-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission,
				

					Having considered Israeli complaint I-53-55:
				

				1.	FINDS that on the night of 28 February 1955 at approximately 2100 local time, an Israel Security Patrol on routine duty was ambushed inside Israeli territory by an Egyptian armed force.
				

				2.	NOTES that as a result of the ambush of an Israeli patrol, a running fight ensued, between the Egyptian force and reinforcements brought up, to assist the Israeli patrol, which started in Israel and carried on in Egyptian-controlled territory.
				

				3.	FURTHER FINDS that as a result of the ambush and the subsequent fight, eight Israeli soldiers were killed and 13 wounded.
				

				4.	DECIDES that these actions are a flagrant violation of Article II, paragraph 2 of the General Armistice Agreement by Egypt
				

				5.	CALLS once again upon the Egyptian Authorities to put an immediate end to such aggressive actions”.
				

					The Chairman stated that he abstained because the report of the United Nations Observers states that no definite evidence of a fight having taken place in that area could be found.  He also stated that he could not consider the attack against the Military Camp in Gaza as the outcome of a “running fight” between Israeli and Egyptian patrols.
				

					The Senior Israeli Delegate indicated that both decisions of the Mixed Armistice Commission will be appealed to the Special Committee.
				

				EGYPTIAN-ISRAELI
				

				MIXED ARMISTICE COMMISSION
				

				Egyptian complaints – November 1954
				

				APPENDIX IV
				

Date of Incident	No. of Complaint	Map Reference	Summary of Complaint	Summary of Investigation	MAC Decision
4.11.54	E-79	10109990 1/25,000	An armed Israeli group (about 50) crossed the I/F and attacked an Egyptian Bedouin tribe. Stealing 100 sheep, 10 camels, and 4 goats.	Tracks were found by UNMO going to the border and across the border (l/F). Four empty cartridges were found. Statements were taken by UNMO	Israel was condemned under the GAA. ;
1.11.54	E-81	Khozaa Village	Israeli soldiers approached D/L and expelled an Arab.	Statements were taken by UNMO	^ /
1.11.54	E-82	Khan Yunis	Three armed Israelis crossed the D/L. Tried unsuccessfully to commit an act of sabotage and exchanged fire with guards.	Incoming and outgoing tracks were found crossing the D/L by UNMO. Impact of a hand grenade and fragments were found. One live hand grenade was found (with Israeli markings).	Violation of Art.II, para. 2 by Israel
7.11.54	E-85	El Arish	An overflight of an Israeli plane.	Not requested	Considered settled, 58th Reg. Meeting
9.11.54	E-84	El Qusaima	Overflight of 5 Israeli planes. '	Not requested	Considered settled, 58th Reg. Meeting.
12.11.54	E-85	10l60992	Armed Israelis crossed the D/L, took firing positions and opened fire on an Egyptian outpost – using Jji, : automatic weapons. One soldier was injured	UNMO interrogated wounded soldier. UNMO could not get a clear picture of the tracks due to the fact that many people had tried to follow the.tracks .before UNMO arrived. Several statements were taken.
22.11.54	E-86	Kom El Helv	Two Israeli command cars full of armed Israelis crossed the I/F and attacked Egyptian Bedouins, stealing 6 plows, 1 cloak, sacks of corn. One Bedouin was kidnapped.	Tracks of command cars crossing the I/F were found by UNMO. Several statements were taken.
27.11.54	E-87	Deir El Ballah	Israelis approached the D/L in a vehicle and expelled an Arab.	UNMO interrogated the expelled Arab.
Note	:		Egyptian complaint E-88-54 is withdrawn.
l6.l2.54	E-89	Abassan area	An Israeli plane flew over one of the Egyptian positions at a low altitude	UNMO took two statements.
17.12.54	E-90	Rafah area	Four vehicles full of armed Israelis penetrated 4-5 Kms across the I/F fired on Bedouins, stole Their livestock, set their tents on fire and departed. their livestock, set their tents on fire and departed.	UNMO took two statements and followed vehicle tracks from Israel. The two witnesses complained that they had lost 20 sheep and approximately 10 chickens.
25.12.54	E-91	1017 0992 1/25,000	An Arab refugee crossed the Armistice D/L in error. He was killed by fire from.the Israeli settlement nearby.	UNMO took a statement from a settler of the kibbutz, and the body of the dead was given to SED.
29.12.54	E-92	0978 0194 1/100,000	Two Israeli command cars full of armed Israelis coming from D/L approached . the I/I and opened automatic fire from 5 directions on an Egyptian outpost along the I/F in-side Egypt between Berin and Sabha.	UNMO took two statements and followed various tracks but found no conclusive evidence	Egyptian resolution at emergency f meeting! 5 Jan. 1955 not adopted.

				MIXED ARMISTICE COMMISSION
				

				Egyptian Complaints – January 1955
				

Date of Incident	No. of Complaint	Map Reference	Summary of Complaint	Summary of Investigation	MAC Decision ^
2.1.54	E-1	Qusaima Rafah area	At 0945Z 2 Israeli jet planes flew over Qusaima-Rafah El Auja area.	Hot requested.
4.1.54	E-2	1079 1065 1/25,000	A group of armed Israelis approached D/L. Two of them crossed 40 m.	UNMO took two statements and found tracks at stop Indicated; used food tins with Israeli markings were found there.
5.1.54	E-5	1079 1065 1/25,000	An Israeli jet plane flew over investigation team while they were investigating previous complaint.	UNMO witnessed aircraft over area.
10.1.54	E-4	805- 692	2 Israeli command cars with armed Israeli soldiers crossed I/F and advanced 1500 m. inside Egypt. After patrolling, they returned.	UNMO took 2 statements and found tracks of cars which ran for 1200 m. almost parallel to border inside Egypt.
15.1.54	E-5	Khan Yunis	5 Israeli soldiers opened fire across D/L upon Arab boy 200 m. inside Egyptian controlled-territcry. 2 aggressors crossed D/L and stole 15 sheep, 4 goats and 10 lambs.	UNMO interrogated Arab boy footprints and mark of firing position were found; empty cartridge cases found; tracks indicate sheep frightened and scattered.
14.1.54	E-6	Gabalia area	9 Israeli planes flew over area for 5 minutes.	UNMO took statement.
16.1.54	E-7	0699-0810	2 armed Israelis opened fire across DL and injured Arab working 200 m. from DL	UNMO took statements and followed tracks.	'
20.1.54	E-8	1072 1029 1/25,000	Armed Israelis opened fire from ambush Inside Israel controlled territory on Arabs working land 200 m. inside Egyptian controlled territory.	UNMO. questioned 2 witnesses, searched area but found no definite evidence.
21.1.54	E-9	0864 0750	Armed Israelis opened fire across DL on Egyptian latrol along DL	UNMO took statement from 1/c Egyptian patrol, visited area where many tracks but no clear evidence were found.	Egyptian resolution not adopted at Em. meeting.
'2.1.54	E-10	Rafah	An Israeli reconnaissance plane flew low over 2 Egyptian military positions.	UNMO questioned witnesses.
5.1.59	E-11	Rafah-El Auja Road.	An Israeli vehicle full of Israelis armed with Sten guns rifles and pistols threatened Egyptian Liaison Officer and attempted to attack him.	UNMO who witnessed incident made statement and questioned Egyptian officer.
5.1.54	E-12	El Arish	Israeli reconnaissance plane flew over area and over Egypt.	Not requested.
28.1.54	E-15	Rafah terr. waters	Israeli boat was seen moving towards Rafah shores one mile inside Egyptian terr. waters.	Not requested.
29.1.54	E-14	Gaza terr. waters	Israeli "boat was seen moving towards Gaza shores within 2 miles, well Inside Egyptian territorial waters.

EGYPTIAN-ISRAELI MIXED ARMISTICE COMMISSION

Egyptian Complaints – February 1955

Date of Incident	No. of Complaint	Map Reference	Summary of Complaint	Summary of Investigation	MAC Decision
1.2.55	E-15	0992 0967 1/25,000	2 Israeli command cars full of Israeli soldiers armed with automatic weapons and 5" mortar opened fire across DL on Egyptian military position, and shelled with mortars. One Egyptian soldier was killed and two wounded.	UNMO took three statements At Em. Meeting and visited area. on 5 February, action found violation of Art. II, para. 2 of GAA by Israel.
1.2.55	E-l6	Rafah area	Israeli reconnaissance plane flew at low altitude over an Egyptian position at Rafah area and over Egyptian controlled territory.	UNMO took statement from witnesses.
5.2.55	E-17	Belt Hanun	Fire was opened from Isr. controlled territory across DL on Arab boy ploughing land 800 m west of DL, killing mule.	UNMO took statement from owner, and inspected body of mule which was lying 1000 m inside Egyptian controlled territory.
8.2.55	E-18	Rafah territorial waters	An Israeli warship was seen moving towards Rafah territorial waters well inside Egyptian waters.	Not requested
14.2.55	E-19	106982 1/250,000	2 Israeli cars full of armed Israeli soldiers crossed the IF and advanced about 7 Kms. inside Egypt and returned.	UNMO found tracks of two command cars crossing IF. A statement was taken by UNMO.
l6.2.55	E-20	085075 1/25,000	Fire was opened, from 2 Israeli cars which were moving along DL -in Israeli territory. Fire ed the dead horse. was opened on a fanner, his horse was killed .	UNMO visited area, took two statements, and view
17.2.55	E-21	08420755	Two Israeli cars full of armed Israeli soldiers opened automatic fire across DL on some farmers.	Not requested
22.2.55	E-22	Rafah area	Two Israeli cars full of armed Israeli soldiers approached DL, left the cars took cover and "began firing on Egyptian military position across DL. This position was 5 minutes later shelled by mortars. Four Egyptian soldiers were wounded.	UNMO visited spot, saw evidence, including mortar impacts and tails of mortar shells and at hospital took statements from 2 wounded soldiers.
24.2.55	E-23	Khan Yunis	Armed Israelis in 2 cars approached DL and kidnapped Arab boy named Tourki Mohamed, Ashour Abu Atwa while grazing his flock west of DL and later released the boy into Egyptian controlled territory.
5/6.11.54	1-114	Talmei Yaffe	Infiltrators crossed, the D/L and stole 18 metres of aluminum irrigation, pipes	Tracks were followed, by UHMO from spot of incident to D/L-tracks were seen crossing the D/L. A statement was taken by UNMO
1.11.54	1-115	Pattish settlement	An organized group laid. charges of explosives and blew up two houses.	Incoming and. outgoing tracks crossing the D/L were found by UNMO. Several statements were taken.	Violation of Article II, para.2 by:Egypt.
7.11.54	1-116	10040625 1/100,000	An. Israeli patrol encountered 4 armed. Arabs, who had crossed. the D/L. During the exchange of fire one Arab was killed.	One of the infiltrators was killed (he was wearing an Egyptian type army jacket, with Arabic letters stamped on the inside of the jacket). Tracks were found leading to the D/L.
7.11.54	1-117	Moshe settlement	Infiltrators stole 42 m. of 1" iron pipe, 5 Shtutsarin (5/4") and. 5 sprinklers.	Not requested.	Considered settled, 58th Reg. Meeting 7/12/54.
10.11.54	1-118	Wadi Mien.	An. Israeli patrol encountered. 5 infiltrators. Fire was opened, and. the infiltrators escaped.	A Sten. Gun., 2 magazines containing 25 bullets,articles of clothing and food were found. Some tracks were found and followed,however,they were not very clear. Several statements were taken by UNMO.
15.11.54	1-119	M'falsim	An. infiltrator named Mohamed Bshtivi Abu Wadi was captured. inside Israeli territory.	Infiltrator was interrogated by UNMO.
16.11.54	1-120	06990850	Shots were fired from across the D/L at a tractor driver.	Not requested.	Considered settled, 58th Reg.Meeting 7/12/54.
18/18.11.54	1-121	Kfar Aim	Infiltrators broke into a barn and stole a cow.	Not requested.
l8.1l.54	1-122	Moshov Shovah	Infiltrators stole 50 metres of 1" pipe and sprinklers.	Heavy rains spoiled every possible track. One statement was taken, by UNMO.	Considered settlement, 58th Reg. Meet. 7/12/54
l8.1.54	1-125	Moshav Brahia	Infiltrators broke into a barn and stole a cow,valued at 850 I.L.	Tracks of 4 men were seen. by UNMO, which were followed, but not to D/L. Statements were taken by UNMO.
21.11.54	1-124	Nahal Oz	Infiltrators stole 10 shtutsarim (connection Pipes)	Tracks of two barefooted men were followed up to D/L and were seen. on Egyptian side of D/L. A statement was taken by UNMO.
19 to 29. 9.54	1-125	Wadi Rub in	An. armed group of 4 men crossed the D/L. The gang indulged in a series of armed violence. One member was taken prisoner.	Prisoner interrogated by UNMO.
22.11.54	1-126	08240654	An Infiltrator (Musala Abu Jargal El Organ!) was captured in Israel.	The prisoner was interrogated by UNMO.
25/26.11. 54	1-127	Moshav Shoval No. 1	Infiltrators stole a total of 72 m. of Irrigation pipe and 7 sprinklers.	Not requested. Considered settled,58th Reg. Meeting 7/12/54
15/16.11. 54	1-128	Tsur Maon	Infiltrators attempted to steal water pipes	Not requested	id
25.11.54	1-129	KLsuflm	Infiltrators (armed) fired upon 2 men. who were doing irrigation work.	Not requested	id.
24/25.ll. 54	1-130	Shoval No. 4	Infiltrators tempted to steal.	Not requested.	Considered settled,58th Reg. Meeting 7/12/54
27/28.11. 54	1-131	Givim	Infiltrators stole 66 m of 1 inch pipe.	Statement taken from Police Inspector, no tracks could "be followed due to heavy rain.
28/29.11. 54	1-132	Belt Shiloaah	Infiltrators stole 8 goats (13 goats and 2 calves were recovered.).	Tracks of 2 men, and goats crossed at D/L. A statement was taken by UNMO.

Date of Incident	No. of Complaint	Map Reference	Summary of Complaint	Summary of Investigation	MAC Decision
6.7.12. 54	1-133	Nireem	Infiltrators stole 200 kgs. of potatoes	Net requested.
2/3.12. 54	1-134	M/FalsiBi	Infiltrators ^tole 12 4" pipes, each pipe 6 m. long. Value of stolen property 216 I.L.	Not requested.
1.12.54	1-135	Nahal Oz	Infiltrators stole 19 connexion. pipes as well as pipes attached, to them.	Not requested..
25/26.11.54	1-136	Shoval 1	Infiltrators stole 90 m. of pipe, also the connexion pipes.	Not requested.
4.12.54	1-137	12751108	An armed group crossed the D/L and blew up water pipe lines.	Because of rain it was Impossible for UNMO to find. tracks. Several statements were taken by UNMO.
2.12.54	1-138	10821057	An Israeli patrol encountered. 4 infiltrators. One was wounded, the remaining infiltrators managed, to escape.	UNMO took statements from the Patrol commander and. the Israeli police inspector.
4/6.12.54	1-139	Nireem	Infiltrators tore out 50 olive saplings and. stole 10.	No tracks could, be seen. 'The remaining 20 saplings were shown to UNMO. A statement was taken.
26.11.54	1-l40	Kibbutz Eres	An infiltrator was captured.	Infiltrator was questioned. UNMO
28.11.54	n 1-141	Zikin.	Three infiltrators were captured by the Israelis.	Infiltrators were interrogated by UNMO.
5/6.12.54	1-142	Moshav Tarshur	Infiltrators broke into a store house and stole working tools valued, at 200 I.L.	Not requested.
8/10/12.54	1-143	Neerim	Infiltrators stole 200 kgs. of potatoes.	Tracks were seen crossing D/L MR 08970859. Incoming tracks were also found by UNMO.
10/11.12.54	1-144	Gvuloth	Infiltrators stole 70 iron. "bars.	Not requested.
14.12.54	1-145	11960888	Three infiltrators were captured.	Infiltrators were interrogated by UNMO.
12/15.12.54	1-146	10990901	A group of infiltrators were encountered by an. Israeli patrol. Fire was opened and one of the infiltrators was killed.	UNMO was shown, the dead infiltrator, along with 5 donkeys, which were captured. A statement was taken, by UNMO.
20/21.12.54	1-147	Gvuloth	Infiltrators crossed D/L and stole cow worth 1000 IL.	UNMO took statement from Secretary of kibbutz. Some tracks were followed 5 kms.
18/19.12.54	1-148	Moshav Maslul	Infiltrators crossed D/L and stole a horse.	Request for investigation withdrawn.
19/20.12.54	1-149	Druroth	Infiltrators stole 20 aluminum pipes.	Not requested.
19/20.12.54	1-150	Tadhir	An. infiltrator crossing D/L attempted theft. He was en-countered but escaped.	Not requested.
21/22.12.54	1-151	Shovah	Infiltrators crossing D/L stole 56 m. of piping and other water supplies items.	Not requested.
24.12.54	1-152	09850187 1/100,000	A platoon of armed Egyptians crossed the I/F and took up defensive positions inside	UNM0's visited scene, took statements and measurements	Violation by Egypt of Art.II, para.2 of GAA
23.12.54	I-153	Nahal Oz	A group of infiltrators crossed D/L, were challenged and tried to escape. Fire was opened and one infiltrator killed.	UNMO took police statement and delivered body to SED.
26.12.54	I-154	10850200	Four infiltrators with donkey crossed D/L. Fire was opened, donkey was killed and infiltrators escaped. Donkey was carrying stolen equipment.	UNMO took statement from platoon sergeant, and followed tracks in area of D/L leading towards Belt Hanun in Egyptian controlled territory.
25/26.12.54	1-155	09551100	Infiltrators crossed D/L and stole water fittings.	Not requested.
27.12.54	1-156	Ein Hashlosha Kibb.	An. infiltrator crossed D/L and was captured,	UNMO took statement from caryfcured man.
26/27.12.54	I-157	Nir Am, 11211050	Group of infiltrators crossed D/L and stole 450 olive saplings valued at 1500 3L.	UNMO took statement. He also followed tracks, but owing to heavy rain nothing definitive was found.
l8.12.54	1-158	Elath	Twin-engined plane over-flew Elath from east to west and returned half an hour later.	Not requested.
22.12.54	1-159	Tsafriya	A group of armed Arabs crossed D/L,murdered an Israel citizen named Israel Dubronsky.	Investigated by UNMO of HJK-I MAC to which identical complaint had been lodged.
27.28.12.54	1-160	Gvuloth	A group of infiltrators crossed D/L, broke into a store house arid stole a number of building tools valued at 700 lL.	UNMO took statement from Cpl. of Israeli police. Tracks were not looked for as road was closed following heavy rains.

Date of Incident	No. of Complaint	Map Reference	Summary of Complaint	Summary o Investigation	MAC Decision
2/5.1.55	1-1	Zeilim	A group of infiltrators crossed the D/L and stole a number of water pipes.	UNMO took statement from kibbutz secretary. Tracks were followed but were lost.
1/2.1.55	1-2	Nirim	Infiltrators crossed D/L and stole quantity of potatoes; also tore down barbed wire fencing.	UNMO took statement from member of kibbutz, and saw tracks clearly coming from and to Dir el Balla, in Egyptian controlled territory
8.1.55	1-5	0985 0187	There are indications that Egyptian position evacuated on 1 Jan. 55 have been reoccupied.	UNMO investigated and found complaint to be unfounded.
28.12.54	1-4	Kibbutz Erez 1096-1077	Infiltrators stole 54 water pipes, 22 connexion pipes and 22 sprinklers.	UNMO took statement, and found tracks clearly marked, leading to DL and going in direction of Belt Hanun in Eg. contr. territory.
4/5.1.55	1-5	0950 0847	Infiltrators stole tools and piping.	Not requested.
5/6.1.55	1-6	Yoshibiah	Infiltrators stole 100 water pipes.	Not requested.
lt/5.1.55	1-7	Givolim	Infiltrators stole 100 potato sacks.	Not requested.
12/15.1. 55	1-8	Kibbutz Magen	Group of infiltrators crossed DL and stole 40 olive saplings.	UNMO took statementy and followed track to 50 m. from border where they were lost.
14/15.l.55	1-9	Hashloaha	Ten civilians crossed DL and stole l80 plum tree saplings.	UNMO took statements and followed tracks in border area.
16.1.55	1-10	Nirltn	Five civilians crossed DL and stole 70 olive saplings	UNMO took statement and followed tracks which crossed DL.
18/19.1.55	1-12	Erez	Civilians crossed DL and stole three harrows.	UNMO took statements and followed tracks.
18/19.1. 55	1-15	Ahuzam	Civilians crossed DL and stole a horse.	Not requested.
17.1.55	1-14	0918 0890	Wheel of Israeli command car carrying patrol was punctured by spike placed on road inside Israel by civilians who crossed DL.	Not requested.
15/18.1. 55	1-15	Tkuma	Three civilians crossed DL; stole 9 iron pipes and 5 irrigators with connexions.	Not requested.
18.1.55	1-16	DZ	Armed Bedouins crossed IF and opened fire on group of Israeli civilians.	UNMO took statement and followed clear tracks which crossed IF at MR 917540.
21.1.55	1-17	0866 0750	Egypt, mil. unit attacked Israeli observation post. killing one Israeli soldier and wounding two.	UNMO took five statements.	Em. ,Me\|\|t g 24 Jann^io.-. • lationi^:';^-'- • Egypt ^C''.;: Art^I^Jt?:"' para.'SS- T.;
22/25.1. 55		1120 1180	A group of Arab civilians crossed DL from Eg. contr. terr. into Israel, stealing 100 m. of 2" pipes.	Not requested.
21/22.1. 55	1-11	Givolim	Group of Arab civilians crossed DL and stole 2 ewes.	Not requested.
24.1.55 .	1-19	Ein Hash-losha	Armed group crossed DL and attacked 2 Israeli tractor drivers, killing one and wounding the other. Two of the attackers were killed. Dead men were armed with a rifle and sten gun.	UNMO took statement, inspected the bodies and followed tracks crossing DL at Wadi Jdeda.	Violation of Art. V, para. 4.
25/26.1. 55	1-20	Patish	Group of Arab civilians crossed DL and stole 45 water pipes and attached irrigators.	Not requested.

EGYPTIAN-ISRAELI MIXED ARMISTICE COMMISSION

Israeli Complaints – February 1955

Date of Incident	No. of Complaint	Map Reference	Summary of Complaint	Summary of Investigation	MAC Decision
1.2.55	1-21	0995 0966	Rifle and. automatic fire were opened on an Israeli routine patrol well inside Israeli territory wounding one Israeli soldier.	UNMO visited area and took statements. i	At Em. Meeting on 5 Feb. action found violation of Art. II, para. 2 by Egypt.
2.2.55	1-22	Nahal Oz	Rifle and automatic fire were opened on a tractor driver and his escort from Egyptian position across DL.	UNMO visited scene and took statement from and interrogated witness.
51.1 -1.2.55	1-25	Shuvah	Two infiltrators crossed DL and stole a quantity of water pipes, then returned.	Not requested.
7.2.55	1-24	Nir Am	A group of Arabs crossed DL and attempted to break into cowshed. Perceived by the settlement guards, the infiltrators escaped during exchange of fire.	Not requested.
7/8.2.55	1-25	Kisufim	A group of Arabs crossed DL and stole 200 muscat plants, 15 sacks, 50 m. rubber hose-pipe and 5 markers.	UNMO visited area, took statement and followed tracks which crossed DL at MR 922899.
8/9.2.55	1-26	Kisufna	A group of Arabs crossed DL and stole a quantity of plywood.	Not requested.
15.2.55	1-27	09000859	A group of Arabs who had crossed DL were observed mowing crops in the fields of Nirim.	UNMO took several statements (2) and viewed sack of grass as evidence. Tracks were seen by UNMO crossing -the DL.
11/12.2. 55	1-28	10190927	A group of Arabs crossed the DL and. stole 180 plumtree saplings.	Not requested.
11/12.2. 55	1-29	10820821	A group of Arabs crossed the DL, stole 90 m. of 1" water piping and 5 sprinklers.	Not requested.
14/15.2. 55	1-50	Patish	Group of Arabs crossed DL, stole 25 water pipes and returned to Egyptian controlled territory.	Not requested.
14/15.2. 55	1-51	Yishibia	Group of Arabs crossed DL, stole 40 m. water pipe and returned to Egyptian controlled territory.	Not requested.
14/15.2. 55	1-52	Shoval	Group of Arabs crossed DL, stole 25 m. water pipe and returned to Egypt, contr. terr.	Not requested.
14/15.2. 55	1-55	Beth Eagdi	Group of Arabs crossed DL, stole 25 m. water pipe and returned to Eg. contr. terr.	Not requested.
15/16.2. 55	1-54	Givim	Group of Arabs crossed DL, tried to enter cowshed, were disturbed by guard of settle-ment and fled to Eg. contr. terr •	Not requested.
16.2.55	1-55	0900 078o	Group of Arabs crossed DL, were observed mowing grass inside Israel, were routed by routine Israel patrol and fled to Eg. contr. territory.	Not requested
17.2.55	1-56	0874 0766	Group of Arabs crossed. DL, were observed, mowing grass inside Israel, were routed by routine Israeli patrol and fled back to Eg. contr. terr.	Not requested,.
17/18.2. 55	1-57	M'Falsim	Group of Arabs crossed DL, stole l6 water pipes and 7 irrigators, then returned to Eg. contr. terr.	UNMO visited area, questioned secretary of kibbutz, followed tracks which crossed DL at MR 1029, 1005, towards Gaza.
19.2.55	1-58	Beth Hagdi	Group of Arabs crossed DL, stole 2 rams, 5 sheep and 1 goat, and returned to Egyptian controlled territory.	Not requested.
18/19.2. 55	1-59	Gvuloth	Group of Arabs crossed DL, attempted to break into a house but fled when observed by settlement guards.	Not requested.
18/19.2. 55	l-4o	Meliloth	Group of Arabs crossed DL, stole 4 sheep, then returned to Egypt, contr. terr.	Not requested.
17/18.2. 55	1-41	Patish	Group of Arabs crossed DL, attempted to enter a house but fled back to Egyptian contr. terr. when disturbed by settlement guards.	Not requested.
16/17.2 55	1-42	Zeilim	Group of Arabs crossed DL, broke into settlement laundry and attempted to steal contents. Disturbed by settlement guards they retreated to Eg. contr. territory.	Not requested.
19/20.2. 55	1-45	Zeilim	Group of armed Arabs crossed DL, attempted to dismantle pipeline but were disturbed by settlement guards, who opened fire, killing one of the thieves.	UNMO questioned kibbutz secretary, visited the spot, saw the dead body and saw the tracks of the man who escaped running west. A loaded British rifle was found be-side the dead man.
21/22.2. 55	1-44	Patish	Group of Arabs crossed DL and attempted to steal, but returned to Eg. contr. terr. when dis-turbed by guards.	Not requested.
22.2.55	1-45	0827 0725	Routine Israeli patrol encountered large group of Arab infiltrators, who fled on seeing patrol, leaving behind two women. When the patrol approached the infiltrators, heavy mortar and automatic fire was opened from Egypt, mil. position across DL.	UNMO inspected the scene, took statements from Patrol Sgt. and arrested women, and viewed evidence on the spot. Including cartridges, parts of shells, mortar impacts and a dead donkey.	Flagrant violation of Art.II para. 2 and Art.V para. 4 of GAA. 47th Em. Meet. 7 March 5 5.
25.2.55	1-46	Beeri	Some Arabs crossed DL, stole l60 saplings and returned to Egyptian controlled territory.	UNMO took statement from member of kibbutz, followed tracks which led towards DL but which disappeared in hard ground 500 m. from DL.	(
22/25.2 55	1-47	Nir Am	Group of Arabs crossed DL, stole 260 olive saplings from nursery and returned to Egypt. controlled territory.	UNMO took statement from member of kibbutz, followed tracks of six men, which crossed DL going towards Belt Hanun.
24.2.55	1-48	089 085	Large group of Arabs crossed DL, were observed mowing grass inside Israel, and fled across EL on approach of Israeli patrol.	Not requested.
24/25.2 55	1-49	Kibbutz Sa'ad	Group of Arabs crossed DL, stole 10 olive saplings, then returned to Egypt, contr. terr.	Not requested.
25.2.55	1-50	1296 l445	A group of armed Arabs crossed EL into Israel, murdered an Israel citizen and returned to Egyptian controlled territory.	UNMO took statements from Israeli soldier, followed tracks of 5 men which crossed DL in direction of Belt Hanun.	Flagrant violation of the GAA by Egypt. 47th Em. Meet. 7 Mar. 55.
25.2.55	1-51	1100 1052	Two armed Arabs crossed DL into Israel for purpose of obtaining intelligence, encountered Israel routine patrol and in exchange of fire one Arab was killed, the other returned to Egyptian controlled territory.	UNMO took a statement, visited the spot, inspected the body of alleged infiltrator, and followed tracks which crossed DL.

				APPENDIX VI SUMMARY OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 1954 – FEBRUARY 1955
				

	EGYPTIAN COMPLAINTS			ISRAELI COMPLAINTS
I.	Classification of Complaints		I	Classification of Complaints
1.	Expulsion	2	1.	Infiltration	80
2.	Crossing of Line by Armed Groups	6	2.	Crossing of Line by Armed Groups	10
3.	Crossing of Line by Armed Unites	3	3.	Crossing of Line by Armed Units	3
4.	Firing across Line	9	4.	Firing across Line	4
5.	Movement of Armed Forces in Demilitarized Zone	1	5.	Movement of Armed Forces in Demilitarized Zone	1
6.	Overflights	9	6.	Overflights	1
7.	Other	6	7.	Other	0
	Total Number of Complaints			Total number of complaints	99
II.	Casualties*		II.	Casualties*
	Egyptians killed	1		Israeli killed	4
	Egyptian wounded	7		Israeli wounded	4
	Arabs killed	1
	Arabs wounded	1
	Arabs kidnapped	2

				* Exclusive of casualties suffered in incident of 28 February near Gaza.
				

				Note:  According to Israeli complaints on infiltration, 7 Arabs were killed, 1 Arab was wounded and 15 Arabs were captured by the Israelis.
				

				Ill Damage
				

				The following figures indicate the effect of the incidents on both sides of the Egyptian-Israeli Demarcation Line.  During the four-month period covered by this Report Israel complained of the theft of over 1,100 metres of water pipe, together with quantities of connecting pipes, sprinklers, etc.  Egypt complained of the theft  of some 150 sheep, camels, goats and other animals.  In December 1954, Israel reported the theft of 450 olive saplings valued at 1,500 Israeli pounds.  In another incident, 700 Israeli pounds worth of building tools were said to have been stolen.  The list of items reported stolen or damaged by both sides, but especially on the Israel side, in connexion . with the 155 complaints received during the four-month period, includes clothing and sacks of potatoes and corn farm tools, timber, barbed wire, plants  water pipes, animals and cattle, and other necessities of rural life.  Both Israel and Egypt have reported incidents involving the destruction of dwellings.
				

				APPENDIX VII
				

				LIST OF EGYPTIAN INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITY (according to "lamerhav", 1 March 1955)
				

Persons	Date of Incident	Place of incident	Kind of activity
Two	1954 January	Faluja	Spying on movement of vehicles. Sent b Mustafa Hafiz, Gaza Strip Intelligence officer, Both were armed.
Two	January	Faluja	Spying on movement of vehicles. Killed in exchange of fire with Israel Army.
One	January	Afridar Rd., (Migdal Askalon0	A student from Gaza confessed during interrogation that he was sent by Gaza Intelligence to gain information.
Three	February	Meshek Zikim	Secondary school students from Gaza, sent by Intelligence to gain information.
Three	February	Nahal Oz	Claimed they were students who crossed by mistake, then retracted their statement, admitted they were sent by intelligence.
One	March	Yad Mordechai	Killed in exchange of fire with Israel patrol. On him was found an Egyptian Army card and notes on movement of vehicles.
One	March	Zikim	Arrested, claimed he was a student and crossed by mistake. Later admitted to intelligence activity.
Two	May	Yad Mordechai	On the scene were found newspapers, maps, military materials. On interrogation admitted they were sent by Egyptian Intelligence,that they had previously successfully smuggled material from Israel
One	May	kissufim	Teacher allegedly accused of Communism, hence escaped. Under questioning, admitted to intelligence activity.
One	June	Ashdod	Student. Admitted that he was sent by Gaza intelligence to buy maps, insignia, etc.
One	October	Wadi Rubin	The "Negro" incident. Arrested after being wounded by shots from Israel patrol. One of gang of four active in Israeli territory on Egyptian Intelligence orders. Admitted he was involved in the shooting of the Gan Giv'ati tractor driver, and the blowing up of a house in Hatzav.
One	October	Nir Am	Surrendered to Israel authorities, alleging he was teacher who fled from Gaza as Egypt was persecuting him. Admitted he was sent by Intelligence in order to surrender and gain information on the fate of enemy agents imprisoned in Israel.
	1955 February 23 February 25	Rison Lezion	Various documents stolen from Government Office. One Egyptian scout killed. On him were found reports on movement of vehicles in the south. Another scout with him managed to escape.

				DRAFT
				

				APPENDIX VIII
				

				EGYPTIAN-ISRAELI MIXED ARMISTICE COMMISSION
				

				1 February 1955
				

				ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING INCIDENTS
				

				IN THE GAZA AREA
				

				1.	The purpose of these arrangements is to prevent, to the greatest extent possible, the unauthorized crossing of the Demarcation Line between Egyptian-controlled territory and Israeli-controlled territory and breaches of the General Armistice Agreement.
				

				2.	Both Parties shall issue strict orders to the responsible local authorities, both police and military, to suppress illegal crossing of the Demarcation Line.
				

				3.	The authorities of both Parties, on information submitted by either Party, shall investigate and take action against infiltrators and their accomplices according to their national laws.
				

				4.	The Parties agree that only well-trained and disciplined regular military or police personnel will be employed in a zone one kilometre wide on either side of the Demarcation Line.
				

				5.	Each Party shall nominate a senior officer to represent it at meetings with the other Party in furtherance of these arrangements.  This representative shall be vested with authority to ensure the required action on the part of the military and police forces who are responsible for the security of the areas adjoining the Demarcation Line and for preventing unauthorized crossing of the Demarcation Line.
				

				6.	(a) Periodic meetings shall take place between representatives of both Parties at Kilo 95 or at a mutually agreed point to coordinate their efforts to combat infiltration and to co-operate on all matters regarding border relations.  By mutual agreement, the representatives can meet at other places than the usual place or proceed to such other places as their respective duties require.
				

					(b) Persons who cross the Demarcation Line between Egyptian-controlled territory and Israeli controlled territory, and who commit an offense against the laws of the Party into whose territory they have penetrated, and are convicted by due legal powers, shall be handed back to the authorities of their own country at a representatives’meeting, after they have served their sentences.
				

					(c) Persons crossing the Demarcation Line, but who are not charged with committing any offend, shall be handed back to the authorities of their own country at representatives’ meetings.
				

					(d) Members of the security forces or civilians who cross the Demarcation Line in error shall be returned immediately.
				

					(e) Recovered stolen property shall be handed back to the Party from whose territory it was stolen within forty-eight hours.
				

				7.	Complaints shall be handed in to the MAC by either Party according to normal procedure; however, both Parties agree to keep complaints at a minimum by attempting to settle minor incidents at the local representatives’ level.
				

				8.	When a local representatives’ meeting is scheduled and one local representative cannot attend, he will make every effort to give the MAC notice twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled time of the meeting.
				

				9.	These arrangements, upon signature of the Parties concerned, are valid for a period of one year from the date of signature, but either Party my withdraw on giving one month’s notice.  Discussions on the extension of these arrangements will begin one month prior to its expiration.
				

				10.	Additions and amendments to these arrangements may be made before their expiry by unanimous consent of the two Parties if above-mentioned additions or changes are placed in an official document signed by both Parties.
				

Senior Egyptian Delegate

Senior Israeli Delegate

Witnessed by:

Chairman

Egyptian-Israeli Mixed

Armistice Commission

				—–
				

Mideast situation/Incident near Gaza – UNTSO report

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