FIGHTING CONTINUES

Chronicle (Levin), 7 January 1949, Page 5

FIGHTING CONTINUES

(N.Z.P.A. —

■Reuter,

Egyptians Fail To Answer tsraeii Cease Fire

, CoyyriiiHt)

Received Friday, 10.5 a.m. LONDON ,Jan. 6. An Israeli spokesman said in Tel Aviv this evening that Israel nad agreed to a cease-fire in the Negev for 2 p.m. today, but as no answer was received from thei Egyptians fighting still continues. An Israeli communique reports that Jewish forces inflicted heavy losses on the Egyptians in men, vehicles, armour and trains in yesterday's fighting in the Negev area of Southern Palestine. It added that two Italian-made Fiat planes were shot down in the Negev. It is officially stated that one Egyptian troop train, carrying hiindreds of officers and other ranks, was captured intact during the current fighting. A British Foreign OfRce spokesman said today that the Jewish forces are still in Egypt. He added that information from British sources showed that although the main body which invaded Egypt a week ago had withdrawn, a contingent had dug in five miles inside Egyptian territory across the mairi road • which goes ' south tlirough the desert from Beersh&ba. These forces had built a strongpoint with barbed wire de)?ences and anti-tank guns. The spokesman said the information indicated that the Jews were "digging in." Egyptian sources suggested that little- faith could be placed in Jewish statements such as that made recently from Tel Aviv, indicating that all Jewish troops would be withdrawn from Egypt. Reuter says • that diplomatic quarters feel that this news would make the British Government unwilling to accept any Israeli undertaking to declaYe a cease-fire which did not also undertake a withdrawal to the original truce lines