NEWS OF THE FIGHTING

Chronicle (Levin), 18 May 1948, Page 5

NEWS OF THE FIGHTING

Received Mondav, 7 p.m. LONDON, .Mav 17. Egyptian troops, in thc iirst direct attack against Jewish forces, invaded the settlcnient oi' Nirnini, one oi' the southerimiost setticments oi' the Negev aroa oii thc Palestine-Egyptian border. Jlagannali claims that Jewish soldiers killed 30 attaekers and put the rest to flight. A Cairo communique states that Egvptian planes attacked the aerudrome at Petah Tikvah, six miles east oi Toi Aviv, which is oi' 'Tio fui'ther use." The airiield at Elakir was also attacked and two planes on the ground destroved. The Jewish settlement between Gaza and Reersheba was raided. An Irgun Zvai Leunii communique said its forces were attacking Ramleli, 15 miles southeast of Jaffa. Arab 75 millimetre guns shelled the Jewish ([iiarter oi the Old City of Jerusalem at the height of yesterday 's battle. Reuter 's correspondent says the Jews. in the Iirst two days oi the present battle for the city, seem to be winning. but Arab resistance yesterday strengthened and the Arabs went over to the offensive in the Sheik Jarrah district. Nevertheless, Moshe Shertok, Tsrael Foreign Mitfister, claims that the Jewish army holds practicallv all the strategic points oi Jerusalem, in-' eluding the Allenby Ihirracks on

the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road. He said today he was satisfied so i'ar witli the Jewish army operations. The Jews had practically erosse'd the Lebanese i'rontier at Ras Makura to saieguard their supply convoys. The Egyptian Premier, Nokrasliy Pasha, speaking after a meeting oi Cabinet, said he was satisfied with the Palestine miiitary sit nation. The Minister of Communications, Abaza Pasha, said that Gaza was the Egyptian forces' occupational head({iiarters in Palestine. He declared that the inhabitants of Gaza eheered the Egyptian "Liberation Army." Cabinet has annoimeed the calling ii]) oi reservo officers and men who were demobilised during- the last five vears.