He who has not seen the rejoicing at the Exodus 1974 has never seen rejoicing in his life.
The Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Egypt, signed on January 18, 1974, following the Yom Kippur War, specified mainly the withdrawal of IDF forces from their lines west of the Suez Canal reached at the end of the war. The troops deployed on a line 20 kilometers east of the canal. In a strip, 10 kilometers east of the canal, the deployment of small Egyptian forces was permitted – three infantry battalions, and one short range artillery battalion. The IDF was permitted to deploy similar forces. Between the Israeli and Egyptian forces was deployed an emergency UN force. The agreement specified that both sides regard it as a first step toward peace.
For a moment the recent war was forgotten, and smiles arose on dusty faces. All vehicles were covered with humoristic banners, and with colors flying high, parachutists, tank crewmen, and other troops left Africa which they never saw as home.
Ba'Mahane photographers and the young reporter Amir Oren accompanied the IDF troops of the last day west of the Suez Canal, immortalizing the rejoicing and excitement of the troops on their way home.
We present moving photographs and excerpts from Amir Oren impressions as they were published by Ba'Mahane on February 24, 1974.
If you know or identify any of the faces in the photographs, please write to us.