The Israeli Air Force bombarded a residential neighborhood near Qasr al-Qubba in Cairo on July 15, 1948, during the international phase of the 1948 Palestine war.[1] The attack was carried out during the breaking of the fast of Ramadan and killed many civilians and destroyed many homes.[2] It led to an angry march on the Jewish quarter.[2]

History

Al Schwimmer and others in Tel Aviv in 1949.

Procurement of B-17s

Before the establishment of the State of Israel, the Haganah had ordered three Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress planes from the United States through US Mahal operative Al Schwimmer.[3][4][5] The heavy bomber planes were prepared for combat by Mahal recruit Ray Kurtz.[3] They were acquired during the truce and smuggled from Czechoslovakia in violation of an arms embargo.[6][7][3]

Attacks on Egyptian targets

The 69 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force was flying the planes, which were ordered to strike Egyptian targets on the way from Czechoslovakia.[4] The air operation attempted to bomb King Farouq's Abdeen Palace.[4] One plane went to Cairo but failed to hit the palace.[4] The bombing struck a residential neighborhood during Iftar, killing 30 Egyptians and striking a rail line.[4][2] According to Al-Ahram the following day, the bombardment happened at 7:55 pm.[8]

The two other planes were supposed to strike el-ʻArīsh but bombed Rafah instead.[4]

Results

The bombardment killed 30 Egyptians, struck a rail line, and led to an angry march on a Jewish quarter in Cairo.[2][4]

The bombardment raised morale in Tel Aviv.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "CAIRO IS BOMBED BY ISRAEL FLIER; Arab Planes Counter With Air Blows at Jerusalem, Haifa -- Land Fronts Quiet". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Beinin, Joel. Berkeley:  University of California Press,  c1998 1998. http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft2290045n/
  3. 1 2 3 Freeman-Maloy, Dan (2011). "Mahal and the Dispossession of the Palestinians". Journal of Palestine Studies. 40 (2): 43–61. doi:10.1525/jps.2011.xl.2.43. ISSN 0377-919X.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Morris, Benny (2017-12-31), "The First Truce, 11 June–8 July 1948, the International Community, and the War", 1948 : a history of the first Arab-Israeli war, Yale University Press, pp. 264–272, doi:10.12987/9780300145243-009, ISBN 978-0-300-14524-3, retrieved 2023-12-14
  5. ↑ Leone, Dario (2014-07-22). "Here's How Israel Managed To Get Three Second Hand B-17 Flying Fortress Bombers". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  6. ↑ "1917: A Man Who Smuggled Jets Into Israel to Create Its First Air Force, Is Born (And Dies)". Haaretz. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  7. ↑ "U.N. ASKS A 4-WEEK TRUCE, PALESTINE ARMS EMBARGO; SANCTIONS ARE THREATENED; ISRAEL SCORES STEP Syrian for Acceptance -- Plan Would Bar New Troops for Holy Land SOVIET MOVE BEATEN, 5-0 Supported by U.S., It Sought to Declare Breach of Peace -- Gromyko Blames Britain U.N. ASKS A TRUCE IN THE HOLY LAND". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  8. ↑ "Page 1." Al-Ahram (الاهرام), 16 Jul. 1948, https://gpa.eastview.com/alahram/newspapers/aar19480716-01
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