Operation Horev

The Israelis attacked both in Gaza and in Sinai, using combined land, air and naval forces. Alexandroni, Golani, Negev, Givati and Harel brigades participated in the operation. This large effort was made possible because of lack of coordination between the Arab armies, and because at this stage, Syria and Jordan were no longer interested in prolonging the war.

Click for larger map of operation Horev

The Egyptian forces were deployed in an Eastern arm that was aimed at Jerusalem, and a Western arm that held Gaza and was aimed at Tel Aviv. The first stage of the operation was meant to destroy the eastern arm of the Egyptian army along the Bir Asluj- El Auja- El-Hafir- Abu Ageila axis, while pinning down the Western branch in the Aza-Rafiah-El-Arish axis with diversionary attacks. El Auja is the Egyptian name for Nitzana. Most of the Eastern arm was indeed destroyed, but Alexandroni was unable to eliminate the Faluja. The operation ultimately induced armistice negotiations, causing the Egyptians to surrender at Faluja

In a later stage, IDF forces were supposed to destroy Egyptian forces on the shores between Rafah and Beit Hanoun, cutting off Gaza. This was to be aided by diversionary attacks in Sinai that would draw Egyptian forces away from Gaza. However, the Israeli advance deep into Sinai alarmed the Egyptians, who called for British aid under their treaty. The British sent RAF spitfires out against the Israelis, and the Israelis shot down five of them, four in aerial combat and one from ground fire. The Israelis claimed the British were firing upon them, whereas the British insisted these were unarmed reconnaissance flights. The downing of British aircraft produced sharp diplomatic protests, and the Israelis were forced to withdraw, after they had done considerable damage to Egyptian airbases and carted off at least one Egyptian Spitfire aircraft. With Israeli operations in Sinai curtailed, the operations against Rafah were no longer effective.

The Negev Brigade had a key role in the conquests inside Sinai. The map below details the operations of the Negev Brigade.

	French Commando, and 7th & 9th Battalions.
	7th and 9th Battalions’ attacks with Jeep Company.
	9th Battalion, Jeep Company’s raids.

Negev Brigade on the way to Abu Agaila with captured Egyptian armor. Shortly after the picture was taken, Israeli aircraft, mistaking the vehicles with Egyptian markings for an Egyptian force, accidentally bombed it. Photo from "Eyes of the Beholder," 2008 by David Teperson See  Negev Beasts.

Egyptian prisoners of war taken at Abu Ageila being marched from Sinai to Israel, escorted by jeeps of the Negev Beasts commandos.