1957

Summary

Although there had been no fatalities during the first three months of the year, the broad instability on Israel’s borders caused the first major clash with the Egyptians in April. Israeli troops came under fire when the IDF attempted to return a flock of sheep that had wandered across the Gaza border. The IDF responded with attacks on Deir al-Balah and Bani Suheila which in turn were followed by Egyptian attacks on kibbutzim near the Gaza border. The IDF then began to shell central Gaza, which resulted in the killing of fifty-eight civilians and a hundred injured. This initiated a five-day offensive by fedayeen infiltrators who attacked Ashkelon and nearby kibbutzim. They were able to reach Rehovot and instigate grenade attacks on civilian homes and attacks on bus and train passengers, water company workers and synagogue worshippers. A bus carrying teachers and pupils was attacked at Moshav Shafir.