The War of Independence
The War of Independence was the longest and hardest of Israel's wars. The road to Jerusalem was cut off. Many Jewish settlements fought for their survival, some were forced to surrender, and their inhabitants became prisoners of war.
The War of Independence (November 30, 1947 – July 20, 1949) was the longest and hardest of Israel's wars. The road to Jerusalem was cut off. Many Jewish settlements fought for their survival, some were forced to surrender, and their inhabitants became prisoners of war. Road transportation was constantly attacked, and was conducted in military convoys, to supply besieged settlements with food and medicines. The war broke out immediately after the vote on the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine (for a Jewish and Arab states, and an international zone in Jerusalem). In its first phase warfare was conducted by irregular forces. Following Israel's Declaration of Independence, May 15, 1948, the second phase began when the new state fought against six invading Arab armies. The IDF conducted operations, which shaped the borders of the states. The war ended with the signing of the last armistice agreement between Israel and Syria, on July 20, 1949. 4,624 soldiers fell in the war, and 13,000 were injured.
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Independence – Beginnings
Jerusalem under siege, December 1947 – June 1948