The War of Independence From the Partition Decision to shaping Israel’s borders

The war of communities (12/47-4/48)  The Arabs never accepted the Partition. Attacks on roads and Jewish traffic by irregular local Arabs.  The Haganah brings supplies to different places with convoys. Shortage of weapons and ammunition.  The Yeshuv is very vulnerable.A lot of settlements are isolated. Jerusalem is under siege. Neighborhoods in mixed cities and frontier areas are attacked.  An army of Arab volunteers from different countries, “Arab Liberation Army”, invades North Palestine (include 4 regiments).  Jewish convoys are ambushed by Arabs, and their passengers killed

Plan D’ – creating territorial continuity  The U.S. government tried to cancel the partition. Later on, they suggested that the Zionists postpone the declaration of an independent state  The last month of the Mandate, a large Jewish military initiative. The purpose: to connect all the Jewish enclaves.  Arab forces - local and foreign volunteers - can’t coordinate their responses.  Arab Elites leave Palestine. After Dir Yassin events, the beginning of a mass exodus

The declaration and the invasion  Regardless of American demand and military risk, the state is declared.  The Jewish state is named “Israel”  5 regular Arab armies invade Palestine.  The Arabs’ plan – A Blitz directed to Haifa  The Arabs’ invitation and the different interests of Arab countries

The Balance of Power – May 15, 1948 Heavy Weapons Israel Arab Forces Tanks 1 (without a gun) 40 Armored cars with gun 2200 Armored cars without gun Artillery barrels 5140 Antitank and antiaircraft guns Fighter planes 074 Patrol planes 2857 Navy ships 312

From the invasion to the First truce  The Egyptians succeed to get as close as 16 miles from Tel Aviv and to the Southern outskirts of Jerusalem  Syrian and Lebanese invade the North.  The Arab legion (Trans-Jordan army) cut the way to Jerusalem and capture the Jewish quarter of the old city  Iraqi troops threaten to cut the Jewish state in half

The Jewish state’s struggle to survive  The Syrians and the Lebanese are stopped by local forces in Degania and Malkiyah  After three failed attempts to take Latrun and open the way to Jerusalem, a new way is built in the mountain – the Burma road  Iraqi troops and Kaukji Army stop their advance due to Jewish attacks  First 5 fighter planes arrived in Israel and stopped the Egyptian troops in Isdud  The Haganah became the IDF (Israel defense forces). Etzel and Lehi merge into the new force

From truce to armistice  After 3 and a half weeks, the UN call for a monthly truce was accepted.  Israel organizes its forces.  From now on the initiative is the hands of Israelis.  The ten days’ fight and the second truce  The last stage – the Negev and the Galilee are annexed to Israel

Operation Horev and the creation of Gaza strip and the West Bank