The breakthrough to the Old City of Jerusalem
As a result of the unsuccessful attempts of 16-18 May 1948 to break the siege of the Jewish Quarter through the Jaffa Gate, David Shaltiel, the commander of the Jerusalem District, sent the Palmach unit that previously had captured Har Tzion, into the Quarter as reinforcements. This was a diversionary tactic to allow another force to attack the Old City. The Zion Gate was blown up and breached. The Palmach soldiers joined up with the besieged inhabitants of the Jewish Quarter and instilled in them a feeling of renewed hope. Unfortunately, the soldiers of the Jerusalem Armored Division who were supposed to enter the city through the breach and replace the Palmach unit did not arrive. The Palmach soldiers left the Old City.
The Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem was subjected to frequent heavy attacks from every direction. The inhabitants were in a state of panic and there were some who demanded surrender in order to put an end to the fighting. They considered their chances of overcoming the Arabs hopeless.
As a result of the unsuccessful attempts of 16-18 May 1948 to break the siege of the Jewish Quarter through the Jaffa Gate, David Shaltiel, the commander of the Jerusalem District, decided to send the Palmach unit that previously captured Har Tzion, into the Quarter as reinforcements. This was a diversionary tactic to allow another force to attack the Old City. The Zion Gate was blown up and breached. The Palmach soldiers joined up with the besieged inhabitants of the Jewish Quarter and instilled in them a feeling of renewed hope. Unfortunately, the soldiers of the Jerusalem Armored Division who were supposed to enter the city through the breach and replace the Palmach unit did not arrive. The Palmach soldiers left the Old City.
As a result of the unsuccessful attempts of 16-18 May 1948 to break the siege of the Jewish Quarter through the Jaffa Gate, David Shaltiel, the commander of the Jerusalem District, decided to send the Palmach unit that previously captured Har Tzion, into the Quarter as reinforcements. This was a diversionary tactic to allow another force to attack the Old City. The Zion Gate was blown up and breached. The Palmach soldiers joined up with the besieged inhabitants of the Jewish Quarter and instilled in them a feeling of renewed hope. Unfortunately, the soldiers of the Jerusalem Armored Division who were supposed to enter the city through the breach and replace the Palmach unit did not arrive. The Palmach soldiers left the Old City.