Co-operational areas
The Bedouins, the inhabitants of the region and exceptional field trainers who could reach any place and thus collect plenty of information and intelligence, crossed the Jordan in order to examine the Syrian force deployment, tap on to their telephone lines and listen into their conversations and transmissions.
The Bedouins, the inhabitants of the region and exceptional field trainers who could reach any place and thus collect plenty of information and intelligence, crossed the Jordan in order to track the Syrian force deployment, tap on to their telephone lines and listen into their conversations and transmissions. On the 25th of May 1948 they raided the Lebanese Village Amara, situated to the north of Ma'ayan Baruch. Their purpose was to provide themselves with a loot of confiscated sheep and cattle. The Hibes were to operate in villages of Par’am and Qabra (above Hazor Hagelilit) and in the Hula region, to prevent the peasants’ return to their deserted homes after Operation Matate (broom) has ended.
The commanders and Palmach members who were connected to their unit often described their military appearance as comprised of an Arabic outfit, bear feet and an assortment of marching equipment and helmets.
On the 6th of June 1948, a major Syrian force opened an attack from the air and land on Mishmar Hayarden and its surroundings, including Tuba. The civilian population was evacuated to Kibbutz Mahanyim while the men took their positions on the hills surrounding the village. Mortar units rushed from Rosh Pina in an attempt to ward off the Syrian attack.
On the 10th of June 1948, following the fall of the Moshava (cooperative settlement) Mishmar Hayarden, the villagers risked themselves and infiltrated the Moshava to inspect and give an account of the Syrian lineup.
The battle that took place destroyed the village so that it had to be evacuated. Only at the end of the war were its inhabitants able to return to their homes.
In Operation Brosh (cypress), the villagers led the Israeli Defense Forces, unexposed, as far as the bottom of the Syrian posts.
In the beginning of August, an attempt to gather hundreds of abandoned sheep and cattle in the village Akbara which was situated on the mouth of Wadi Lamon, failed because of an inaccurate account of the number of Arabs that were situated there. The forces found themselves under a massive attack of dozens of armed warriors from the Qaoqaji army, who surrounded the Hibes and threatened to kill them. The commander, Abner Kazwiner (Hankin’s deputy who replaced him when he retired) ordered to retreat and after an exhausting battle under inferior conditions, which lasted seven to eight long hours, the fighters managed to extricate themselves and reach the road leading from Safad to Rosh Pina.
Another similarly targeted operation took place near Metula, in one of the groves located by Ayoon River. This time the forces succeeded to avoid the enemy and to gather up a thousand sheep.
At the end of summer 1948 the Israeli Defense Forces set up the Minority Battalion under the command of Tuvia Lishenski. The Hibes unit was then drafted and annexed to it.
The commanders and Palmach members who were connected to their unit often described their military appearance as comprised of an Arabic outfit, bear feet and an assortment of marching equipment and helmets.
On the 6th of June 1948, a major Syrian force opened an attack from the air and land on Mishmar Hayarden and its surroundings, including Tuba. The civilian population was evacuated to Kibbutz Mahanyim while the men took their positions on the hills surrounding the village. Mortar units rushed from Rosh Pina in an attempt to ward off the Syrian attack.
On the 10th of June 1948, following the fall of the Moshava (cooperative settlement) Mishmar Hayarden, the villagers risked themselves and infiltrated the Moshava to inspect and give an account of the Syrian lineup.
The battle that took place destroyed the village so that it had to be evacuated. Only at the end of the war were its inhabitants able to return to their homes.
In Operation Brosh (cypress), the villagers led the Israeli Defense Forces, unexposed, as far as the bottom of the Syrian posts.
In the beginning of August, an attempt to gather hundreds of abandoned sheep and cattle in the village Akbara which was situated on the mouth of Wadi Lamon, failed because of an inaccurate account of the number of Arabs that were situated there. The forces found themselves under a massive attack of dozens of armed warriors from the Qaoqaji army, who surrounded the Hibes and threatened to kill them. The commander, Abner Kazwiner (Hankin’s deputy who replaced him when he retired) ordered to retreat and after an exhausting battle under inferior conditions, which lasted seven to eight long hours, the fighters managed to extricate themselves and reach the road leading from Safad to Rosh Pina.
Another similarly targeted operation took place near Metula, in one of the groves located by Ayoon River. This time the forces succeeded to avoid the enemy and to gather up a thousand sheep.
At the end of summer 1948 the Israeli Defense Forces set up the Minority Battalion under the command of Tuvia Lishenski. The Hibes unit was then drafted and annexed to it.