ISRAEL-UAR BORDER SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001200020011-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Sequence Number: 11
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2008/06/26: CIA-RDP79ROO89OA001 200020011 -0
ISRAEL-UAR BORDER SITUATION
I. Fighting which broke out last week along Israel-Syrian border
appears primarily a product of irritations in an old trouble
spot, plus Israeli frustration with UN's ineffectiveness.
A. Immediate cause of incidents--which included an air skirmish,
artillery barrages, and a night raid by Israeli forces on an
empty Arab village--is continued ignoring by Arab farmers of
Isreal's claim to administer demilitarized zones along border.
1. UN's interpretation of 1949 armistice agreement is that
Israel does not have authority over these zones and that
Arab farmers are generally within their rights.
B. Despite a truce arranged by UN officers on 1 February,
sporadic firing still taking place.
II. Neither Israel nor UAR seems to be trying to expand incidents
into a war, although further fighting in local area is likely,
Nasir has moved troops into Sinai, but the spate of publicity
released on these movements suggests that they are primarily
for propaganda effect.
Other Arab states have stayed out, and the UN Emergency Force
in Sinai (5,051 men) has not been involved.
men); reinforcements were not in combat positions as of 25X1
late 2 February, however".
Israel has reinforced its border troops with at least an
infantry brigade, plus some armor and heavy artillery (3,500
D. UN has ordered both sides to withdraw troops from the disputed
Approved For Release 2008/06/26: CIA-RDP79ROO89OA001 200020011 -0
zone, and Hammarskjold says he will call a Security Council
Council meeting if they do not comply.
.('R .
 Approved For Release 2008/06/26: CIA-RDP79ROO89OA001 200020011 -0
Approved For Release 2008/06/26: CIA-RDP79ROO89OA001 200020011 -0