Operation GYS
Encyclopedia
Operation GYS, or Operation Gayis , short for Golani
, Yiftach
, Sergei
(Negev)—the three participating brigades—was an Israel
i military and logistical operation conducted during the second truce of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Its objective was to create a corridor to the Israeli enclave in the northern Negev
desert, surrounded by the Egyptian army
. When the military operation (later called GYS 1) commenced and failed on July 27, 1948, a more modest operation (GYS 2) was attempted on July 31, aimed just to transport goods to the enclave.
In GYS 1, the Israelis hoped to capture Fallujah
and Iraq al-Manshiyya
, thus cutting a wedge through the Egyptian forces and having free passage to the Negev. However, the attack on Iraq al-Manshiyya failed and the forces in Fallujah retreated due to communication problems. In GYS 2, the forces took a safer road to the east of Iraq al-Manshiyya and successfully escorted a convoy of 20 trucks. A third attempt on August 18–19, called Operation Way to the Negev, failed. As a result, most supplies had to be transported by air for almost two months, in an operation known as Operation Avak
.
decided to erect 11 new villages
in the northern Negev
desert in order to insure that the territory would become part of a Jewish state in any future political decision. On May 15, 1948, following Israel's declaration of independence, the armies of several Arab states invaded the new state. The Egyptian army
advanced along the coastal road
, stopping at the Sukreir Bridge
and remaining there following Operation Pleshet
, an Israeli offensive on the column near the bridge.
The Egyptians then set up positions in the Majdal
– Bayt Jibrin
road in order to strengthen their hold on the area and disconnect the Negev villages from the rest of Israel. The Israelis made two major attempts to break through the blockade—Operation An-Far
and Operation Death to the Invader
—but failed to create its own wedge between the Egyptian forces. On July 18, 1948, the second truce to the war came into effect, ending the hostilities with the Negev still separate. The villages of Hatta and Karatiyya
had been captured however, forcing the Egyptians to bypass them with a makeshift road to the south.
Before the Egyptians created the bypass, United Nations observers visited the area and determined that the Israelis controlled a passageway to the Negev at the beginning of the truce. Israel believed that this gave them the right to attack Egyptian forces blocking the way, despite the ceasefire. Still, the IDF's plan was to withhold an attack until the Egyptians opened fire on the convoy. Elements of the Yiftach Brigade
which had participated in Operation Danny
in July were moved south for the operation.
's forces would deploy from Jaladiyya
, the Yiftach Brigade's—from Gat, and the Negev Brigade
's—from Bror Hayil
. Givati's 53rd Battalion would capture Iraq al-Manshiyya
, and Yiftach's forces, under the umbrella command of its 1st Battalion, would take Fallujah
. They would meet to the south of the villages with Negev's 7th Battalion. The time frame for the operation was set for only one day. The command was given to Shimon Avidan
, CO of the Givati Brigade.
The attack started on July 27, when Givati sent a force to attack Bayt 'Affa
(between Negba
and Karatiyya) as a diversion. Other Givati forces then left Gat and assaulted Iraq al-Manshiyya but met with heavy resistance. Meanwhile, an Yiftach company surrounded Fallujah in another company attacked; a third was in reserve. The first thrust was repelled, and on the second, the company reached the village's inner perimeter. However, the commander of Yiftach's forces was unable to communicate with the attacking company and a retreat order was given. The two companies around the village complied immediately, but the situation was more difficult for the spearhead force, which stayed until dawn and suffered four dead and 26 wounded. After the operation failed, Negev forces, which took up positions at Bir Abu-Jabir, also went back to their bases.
unit of Givati at 23:50 on July 31. Meanwhile, the Yiftach brigade took up positions along the planned route of the convoy and staged a diversionary attack in the area of Julis
.
The convoy met with difficulties when it approached Wadi Qubeiba. Two trucks got stuck and one ran into a land mine, killing one soldier. After reaching Khirbet Qarqara, local Bedouins opened fire upon the convoy and retreated after exchanging shots with Givati. At the tomb of Sheikh Abu Ghazala, south of Fallujah, the convoy met with the Negev's 9th Battalion and the escorting forces returned to their bases. The convoy then safely reached Bror Hayil and Ruhama
. Yiftach's forces were then removed from the southern front for the time.
, a continuous aerial supply that took place between August 23 and October 21, 1948, until a permanent ground corridor was opened in Operation Yoav
.
Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade is an Israeli infantry brigade that is subordinated to the 36th Division and traditionally associated with the Northern Command. Its symbol is a green tree on a yellow background, and its soldiers wear a brown beret. It is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the...
, Yiftach
Yiftach Brigade
The Yiftach Brigade was an Israeli infantry brigade...
, Sergei
Negev Brigade
The 12th Negev Brigade was an Israeli infantry brigade that served in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. It was commanded by Nahum "Sergei" Sarig and consisted of four Palmach battalions...
(Negev)—the three participating brigades—was an Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i military and logistical operation conducted during the second truce of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Its objective was to create a corridor to the Israeli enclave in the northern Negev
Negev
The Negev is a desert and semidesert region of southern Israel. The Arabs, including the native Bedouin population of the region, refer to the desert as al-Naqab. The origin of the word Neghebh is from the Hebrew root denoting 'dry'...
desert, surrounded by the Egyptian army
Egyptian Army
The Egyptian Army is the largest service branch within the Egyptian Armed Forces and holds power in the current Egyptian government. It is estimated to number around 379,000, in addition to 479,000 reservists for a total of 858,000 strong. The modern army was created in the 1820s, and during the...
. When the military operation (later called GYS 1) commenced and failed on July 27, 1948, a more modest operation (GYS 2) was attempted on July 31, aimed just to transport goods to the enclave.
In GYS 1, the Israelis hoped to capture Fallujah
Al-Faluja
al-Faluja was an Arab village in the British Mandate of Palestine, located 30 kilometers northeast of Gaza City. The village and the neighbouring village of Iraq al-Manshiyya formed part of the Faluja pocket, where 4,000 Egyptian troops were besieged for four months by the newly established Israel...
and Iraq al-Manshiyya
Iraq al-Manshiyya
Iraq al-Manshiyya is a former Palestinian town located 32 km northeast of Gaza City. Its total land area consisted of 13,838 dunams. According to the British Mandate, the town had a population of 2,010 Arabs and 210 Jews in 1945...
, thus cutting a wedge through the Egyptian forces and having free passage to the Negev. However, the attack on Iraq al-Manshiyya failed and the forces in Fallujah retreated due to communication problems. In GYS 2, the forces took a safer road to the east of Iraq al-Manshiyya and successfully escorted a convoy of 20 trucks. A third attempt on August 18–19, called Operation Way to the Negev, failed. As a result, most supplies had to be transported by air for almost two months, in an operation known as Operation Avak
Operation Avak
Operation Avak was a logistical and military operation conducted during the second truce of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and later by the Israeli Air Force . Its objective was to send supplies to the Israeli enclave in the northwestern Negev desert through the air, and create a suitable airfield for...
.
Background
As a response to the Morrison–Grady Plan of 1946, the Jewish YishuvYishuv
The Yishuv or Ha-Yishuv is the term referring to the body of Jewish residents in Palestine before the establishment of the State of Israel...
decided to erect 11 new villages
11 points in the Negev
11 points in the Negev refers to a Jewish Agency plan for establishing eleven settlements in the Negev in 1946, prior to the establishment of the State of Israel.-History:...
in the northern Negev
Negev
The Negev is a desert and semidesert region of southern Israel. The Arabs, including the native Bedouin population of the region, refer to the desert as al-Naqab. The origin of the word Neghebh is from the Hebrew root denoting 'dry'...
desert in order to insure that the territory would become part of a Jewish state in any future political decision. On May 15, 1948, following Israel's declaration of independence, the armies of several Arab states invaded the new state. The Egyptian army
Egyptian Army
The Egyptian Army is the largest service branch within the Egyptian Armed Forces and holds power in the current Egyptian government. It is estimated to number around 379,000, in addition to 479,000 reservists for a total of 858,000 strong. The modern army was created in the 1820s, and during the...
advanced along the coastal road
Highway 4 (Israel)
Highway 4 is an Israeli highway that runs along Israel's entire coastal plain of the Mediterranean Sea, its route in the north runs from the Rosh HaNikra border crossing with Lebanon until the Erez Border Crossing with the Gaza Strip...
, stopping at the Sukreir Bridge
Ad Halom
Ad Halom is a site at the eastern entrance to the city of Ashdod, Israel.-Battle:Ad Halom refers to the northernmost point reached by the Egyptian army in Operation Pleshet, one of the battles of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War....
and remaining there following Operation Pleshet
Operation Pleshet
Operation Pleshet , named for the geographical region where it took place, was an Israeli military operation during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. It was carried out from May 29 to June 3, 1948, in the Isdud/Ad Halom area of the southern front, against the Egyptian Army. The aim of the operation was to...
, an Israeli offensive on the column near the bridge.
The Egyptians then set up positions in the Majdal
Ashkelon
Ashkelon is a coastal city in the South District of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, south of Tel Aviv, and north of the border with the Gaza Strip. The ancient seaport of Ashkelon dates back to the Neolithic Age...
– Bayt Jibrin
Bayt Jibrin
Bayt Jibrin was a Palestinian Arab village located northwest of the city of Hebron. The village had a total land area of 56,185 dunams or , of which were built-up while the rest remained farmland.The early inhabitants of Bayt Jibrin are the Canaanites...
road in order to strengthen their hold on the area and disconnect the Negev villages from the rest of Israel. The Israelis made two major attempts to break through the blockade—Operation An-Far
Operation An-Far
Operation An-Far was a military operation launched by Israel's Givati Brigade on the night of July 8–9 during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Its objectives were to gain control of approaches in southern Judea and block the advance of the Egyptian army...
and Operation Death to the Invader
Operation Death to the Invader
Operation Death to the Invader , also Death to the Invaders, was an Israeli military operation during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. It was carried out on July 16–18, 1948 in the northwestern Negev desert. The operation's objective was to link Jewish villages in the Negev desert with the rest of...
—but failed to create its own wedge between the Egyptian forces. On July 18, 1948, the second truce to the war came into effect, ending the hostilities with the Negev still separate. The villages of Hatta and Karatiyya
Karatiyya
Karatiyya was a Palestinian Arab village of 1,370, located northeast of Gaza, situated in a flat area with an elevation of along the coastal plain of Palestine and crossed by Wadi al-Mufrid.-History:...
had been captured however, forcing the Egyptians to bypass them with a makeshift road to the south.
Before the Egyptians created the bypass, United Nations observers visited the area and determined that the Israelis controlled a passageway to the Negev at the beginning of the truce. Israel believed that this gave them the right to attack Egyptian forces blocking the way, despite the ceasefire. Still, the IDF's plan was to withhold an attack until the Egyptians opened fire on the convoy. Elements of the Yiftach Brigade
Yiftach Brigade
The Yiftach Brigade was an Israeli infantry brigade...
which had participated in Operation Danny
Operation Danny
Operation Danny was an Israeli military offensive launched at the end of the first truce of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The objectives were to capture territory east of Tel Aviv and then to push inland and relieve the Jewish population and forces in Jerusalem...
in July were moved south for the operation.
GYS 1
Operation GYS was a plan to create a corridor between the Negev and the rest of Israel from Gat and Karatiyya in the north to Bir Abu-Jabir in the south. The Givati BrigadeGivati Brigade
The Givati Brigade is an infantry brigade of the Israel Defense Forces, and serves as its amphibious force. Givati soldiers are designated by purple berets...
's forces would deploy from Jaladiyya
Al-Jaladiyya
Al-Jaladiyya was a Palestinian Arab village in the District of Gaza. It was depopulated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War on July 8, 1948 by the Giv'ati Brigade. It was located 34 kilometres northeast of Gaza.The Crusades built a castle in the village...
, the Yiftach Brigade's—from Gat, and the Negev Brigade
Negev Brigade
The 12th Negev Brigade was an Israeli infantry brigade that served in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. It was commanded by Nahum "Sergei" Sarig and consisted of four Palmach battalions...
's—from Bror Hayil
Bror Hayil
Bror Hayil is a kibbutz in southern Israel. Located near Sderot, it fall under the jurisdiction of Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. In 2007 it had a population of 462....
. Givati's 53rd Battalion would capture Iraq al-Manshiyya
Iraq al-Manshiyya
Iraq al-Manshiyya is a former Palestinian town located 32 km northeast of Gaza City. Its total land area consisted of 13,838 dunams. According to the British Mandate, the town had a population of 2,010 Arabs and 210 Jews in 1945...
, and Yiftach's forces, under the umbrella command of its 1st Battalion, would take Fallujah
Al-Faluja
al-Faluja was an Arab village in the British Mandate of Palestine, located 30 kilometers northeast of Gaza City. The village and the neighbouring village of Iraq al-Manshiyya formed part of the Faluja pocket, where 4,000 Egyptian troops were besieged for four months by the newly established Israel...
. They would meet to the south of the villages with Negev's 7th Battalion. The time frame for the operation was set for only one day. The command was given to Shimon Avidan
Shimon Avidan
Shimon Avidan , born Shimon Koch , was an Israeli soldier and officer, the commander of the Givati Brigade during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war....
, CO of the Givati Brigade.
The attack started on July 27, when Givati sent a force to attack Bayt 'Affa
Bayt 'Affa
Bayt 'Affa was a Palestinian Arab village in the District of Gaza. It was depopulated during the 1947–1948 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine on January 10, 1948 as part of Operation Barak. It was located 29 km northeast of Gaza and Wadi al-Rana ran east of the village.The village had a...
(between Negba
Negba
Negba is a kibbutz in the northern Negev, Israel. Located near the cities of Kiryat Malakhi and Ashkelon, it falls under the jurisdiction of Yoav Regional Council...
and Karatiyya) as a diversion. Other Givati forces then left Gat and assaulted Iraq al-Manshiyya but met with heavy resistance. Meanwhile, an Yiftach company surrounded Fallujah in another company attacked; a third was in reserve. The first thrust was repelled, and on the second, the company reached the village's inner perimeter. However, the commander of Yiftach's forces was unable to communicate with the attacking company and a retreat order was given. The two companies around the village complied immediately, but the situation was more difficult for the spearhead force, which stayed until dawn and suffered four dead and 26 wounded. After the operation failed, Negev forces, which took up positions at Bir Abu-Jabir, also went back to their bases.
GYS 2
Between GYS 1 and GYS 2, the Israeli forces that participated in GYS 1 harassed Egyptian transportation along the Majdal – Bayt Jibrin road. The second attempt to break through to the Negev was made on July 30 – August 2. In the evening of the 30th, Givati commandos left Zeita for a reconnaissance patrol. They returned after reaching Khirbet Qarqara, satisfied that there were no Egyptian forces there. On July 31, the military police escorted the supply convoy to the south of the country. They met with the Samson's FoxesSamson's Foxes
Samson's Foxes was an Israeli commando unit of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. It was part of the 54th Battalion of the Givati Brigade...
unit of Givati at 23:50 on July 31. Meanwhile, the Yiftach brigade took up positions along the planned route of the convoy and staged a diversionary attack in the area of Julis
Julis, Gaza
Julis was a Palestinian Arab village in the District of Gaza located northeast of Gaza on a slight elevation along the southern coastal plain. In 1945, there were 1,030 inhabitants in the village. It was depopulated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War....
.
The convoy met with difficulties when it approached Wadi Qubeiba. Two trucks got stuck and one ran into a land mine, killing one soldier. After reaching Khirbet Qarqara, local Bedouins opened fire upon the convoy and retreated after exchanging shots with Givati. At the tomb of Sheikh Abu Ghazala, south of Fallujah, the convoy met with the Negev's 9th Battalion and the escorting forces returned to their bases. The convoy then safely reached Bror Hayil and Ruhama
Ruhama
Ruhama is a kibbutz in the Negev desert in southern Israel. The original settlement established in 1911, is considered the first modern Jewish settlement in the Negev....
. Yiftach's forces were then removed from the southern front for the time.
Aftermath
A third attempt, named Operation Way to the Negev, was made on August 18–19, but the convoy was directly attacked by Egyptian forces and only one truck made it through to the Negev. On the same day, the IDF General Staff decided that the ground forces were unable to safely pass supplies to the Negev, and that the air force would henceforth be used. This was one of the reasons for launching Operation AvakOperation Avak
Operation Avak was a logistical and military operation conducted during the second truce of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and later by the Israeli Air Force . Its objective was to send supplies to the Israeli enclave in the northwestern Negev desert through the air, and create a suitable airfield for...
, a continuous aerial supply that took place between August 23 and October 21, 1948, until a permanent ground corridor was opened in Operation Yoav
Operation Yoav
Operation Yoav was an Israeli military operation carried out from 15–22 October 1948 in the Negev Desert, during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Its goal was to drive a wedge between the Egyptian forces along the coast and the Beersheba–Hebron–Jerusalem road and ultimately to conquer the whole Negev...
.