This article is about the Israeli aerial bombardment of Cairo in 1948. For the bombings of Jewish neighborhoods in Cairo, see 1948 Cairo bombings.
| 1948 Israeli bombing of Cairo | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War | |
| Location | Cairo, Egypt |
| Date | July 15, 1948 |
| Deaths | 30 Egyptian civilians |
| Perpetrator |  Israeli Air Force
|
| 1948 Palestine war | |
|---|---|
| 1947–1948 civil war in Mandatory Palestine Military engagements
Massacres and civilian attacks
1948 Arab–Israeli War
Central and Jerusalem front
Northern front International Massacres Biological warfare |
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. The attack was carried out during the breaking of the fast of Ramadan and killed 30 civilians and destroyed many homes. It led to an angry march on the Jewish quarter.
Background
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. The heavy bomber planes were prepared for combat by Mahal recruit Ray Kurtz. They were acquired during the truce and smuggled from Czechoslovakia in violation of an arms embargo.
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. The air operation attempted to bomb King Farouq's Abdeen Palace. One plane went to Cairo but failed to hit the palace. The bombing struck a residential neighborhood during Iftar, killing 30 Egyptians and striking a rail line. According to Al-Ahram the following day, the bombardment happened at 7:55 pm.
The two other planes were supposed to strike el-ʻArīsh but bombed Rafah instead.
Results
The bombardment killed 30 Egyptians, struck a rail line, and led to an angry march on a Jewish quarter in Cairo.
The bombardment raised morale in Tel Aviv.
References
- "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.
- ^ Beinin, Joel. Berkeley: University of California Press, c1998 1998. http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft2290045n/
- ^ 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. JSTOR 10.1525/jps.2011.xl.2.43.
- ^ 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
- 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.
- "1917: A Man Who Smuggled Jets Into Israel to Create Its First Air Force, Is Born (And Dies)". Haaretz. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- "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.
- "Page 1." Al-Ahram (الاهرام), 16 Jul. 1948, https://gpa.eastview.com/alahram/newspapers/aar19480716-01
Categories:
- 1948 in Egypt
- Airstrikes conducted by Israel
- Airstrikes in Egypt
- Battles and operations of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War
- Egypt–Israel military relations
- Military history of Cairo
- 1940s in Cairo
- Explosions in Cairo
- Building bombings in Egypt
- Attacks on railway systems
- Mass murder in 1948
- Mass murder in Cairo
- 20th-century mass murder in Egypt
- Israeli war crimes
- Attacks on buildings and structures in the 1940s
- Cross-border operations of Israel
- Egypt in the Arab–Israeli conflict