Fighting in Palestine Not Being Interrupted and May Not Stop

Grey River Argus, 5 June 1948, Page 5

Fighting in Palestine Not Being Interrupted and May Not Stop

(Rec. 10.40). LONDON, June 4. The latest messages indicate that there is a stiffening in the Palestine fighting. The Jews are now making offensive moves on two fronts, at the same time as Count Bernadotte is continuing his discussions with both sides on the possibility of a cease-fire. Arabs and Jews continue fighting in Palestine. The United Nations' mediator, Count Bernadotte, is trying to arrange implementation of a fourweeks’ cease-fire, which both sides have accepted. It is said each hour's delay will make it more difficult to halt the fighting, since both sides are already disgruntled by earlier misunderstandings on the truce. That there is little prospect of a cease-fire remaining in effect for four weeks is the belief of many U.N.O. officials. Some delegates are doubtful whether it will become effective at all. They say that a deadlock over] the creation of a separate Jewish State is almost inevitable. Cables«from Palestine and Arab centres disclose little change ’in the military position. Egyptian forces to-day are 22 miles south of Tel Aviv and Iraqis were eight miles north of it. CENTRAL SECTORS The battles of Jerusalem and Latrun, on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road, continue. Arab planes bombed Tel Aviv and suuuros, and Killed a number of people at Rishon Lezion, south of the city- , . . Jewish official sources say a Jewish fighter shot down a twin-engined Egyptian bomber over Rehovoth. Mechanised Iraqi units attacked Nathanya, and Iraqi aircraft attacked military factories at Petach and Tikvas. NORTHERN SECTORS Jews claim they hold all western Galilee, and have advanced on the northern front against Syrians. A Transjordan communique reported a Jewish attack on the Arab-held police station at Ghores Safi, at the southern end of the Dead Sea. Tne report claims that the garrison killed 60 of the attacking Jews and captured a quantity of arms. Reinforcements after a 12-hour battle, drove off the Jews.

Campaign Becomes Much Stiffer

Jews Claim to be Cornering Enemy Groups (Rec 10.10 p.m. LONDON, June 4. A Jewish communique issued today at Tel Aviv announced that. Jewish forces entered the Arab-held town of Jenin, 25 miles north-east of Tel Aviv. T , (Rec, 10.40). LONDON, June 4. a special Jewish communique early on Friday claimed that Israeli troops entered Jenin, an Arab town midway between the Sea of Galilee and Tel Aviv, in the rear of an advance towards the coast by Iraqi forces. The Jews also claim to have surrounded to the south, an Egyptian column, at Isdud, which is half way from Gaza to Tel Aviv. The Egyptians captured Isdud only a few days ago. The Jews earlier said their ground forces began attacks in the south and central areas, and that they bombed, with direct hits at Nabia, a police station fortress, and also shot down an Egyptian bomber near Jaffa. , , The Egyptians state thev repulsed the Zionist attack at Isdud and have killed 400 Jews. ’

Arab Reinforcement Nearing the Jordan

(Rec 10.40 p.m.) LONDON June 4. Reports from Amman, the Transjordan capital, say that heavy Iraqi Arab reinforcements, including big guns, are now moving through the Transjordan hill country. Egyptian Navy’s Attack on Port Caesara

(Rc. 11.40). LONDON, June 4. An Egyptian communique claims that Egyptian naval forces have . attacked the port of Caesarea. This is 30 miles north of Tel Aviv. The Egyptians sank one vessel. . They scored direct hits on haroour installations.

U.N.O. Mediator Still Uncertain

LONDON, June 3. Count Bernadotte and the U.N.O. Truce Commission, accompanied by Mr Harold Evans, United Nations appointed Mayor of Jerusalem, left Cairo for Amman to-day. The party I£i uxpecteu ro return io Cairo tonight or early to-morrow. . Count Bernadotte said he is very optimistic” about a successful four(Rec. 11.50). LONDON, June 4. Reuter’s correspondent at Cairo states: The U.N.O. mediator, Count Bernadotte, has returned here by air from Haifa, after a tour of Arab and Jewish Middle East centres. Count Bernadotte said it was too early to sav when a cease-fire would take place. He said: “There still are a number of obstacles to overcome”.