The Negev - The Region and the Population
In the territorial organization of the 'Hagana', the area south of the Majdal – Bet Jubrin area, was called the Negev. Most of the Negev region was arid and, by and large flat, apart from a hilly region in the far south. One road ran the breadth of the Negev (east-west), there were three roads running lengthwise (north-south) and there were also a few unpaved roads and paths. The non-arid western region was settled by Arab villages and towns. A sparse nomadic Bedouin population lived in the remaining area. There were some Jewish settlements established a few years before the War of Independence in the northern region of the Negev.
The British Mandatory Government included in the Beer Sheba distarict, the entire area, sparsely populated by Bedouin, from Um-Rashrash to the Majdal - Bet Jubrin road. The area populated by Arabs living west of the Beer Sheba district in the agricultural villages and the towns of Majdal, Gaza and Han Yunis, were included in the Gaza district.
Between 1941-1944, six kibbutzim were established in an area suitable for agriculture. The area was called Shaar Hanegev. In 1943, three observation posts were settled in the arid area south of the Gaza – Beer Sheba road. In the years 1946-1947, 19 settlement "points" were added, most of them south of the Gaza-Beer Sheba road. The observation posts were manned by 15-20 youngsters (boys and girls). The 'Hagana' incorporated all the settlements into the Negev district south of the Majdal-Bet Jubrin road, that were in both mandatory districts.
The Arab population of the Gaza district, had a sense of national consciousness and were a potential enemy. The Bedouin population was less nationally inclined but there were feelings that they could be incited against the Jews.
Most of the Negev area is flat, criss-crossed by many paths. The hilly southern terrain made for difficult passage. The sole access to Um-Rasrash was through a difficult pass in the Arava.
There were 3 lengthwise roads that led to the Negev.
In the east: the Jerusalem – Hebron – BeerSheba – Ujiya – El Hafir (Nitzana) road.
In the west, the coastal road: Rehovot – Julis – Hulikat – Breir – Nir-Am – Gaza.
The third was a B' type road (paved but not tarred) from Faluja to the only road running through the 'breadth' of the Negev: Gaza – Beer Sheba.
This road was joined by a B' type road that reached the Imra police station.
All of the Jewish settlements were in the flat plains of the Negev with unpaved paths.
The objective of the Southern Command was to conquer the entire Negev area that had been included in the United Nations Partition Plan for the Jewish State.
Between 1941-1944, six kibbutzim were established in an area suitable for agriculture. The area was called Shaar Hanegev. In 1943, three observation posts were settled in the arid area south of the Gaza – Beer Sheba road. In the years 1946-1947, 19 settlement "points" were added, most of them south of the Gaza-Beer Sheba road. The observation posts were manned by 15-20 youngsters (boys and girls). The 'Hagana' incorporated all the settlements into the Negev district south of the Majdal-Bet Jubrin road, that were in both mandatory districts.
The Arab population of the Gaza district, had a sense of national consciousness and were a potential enemy. The Bedouin population was less nationally inclined but there were feelings that they could be incited against the Jews.
Most of the Negev area is flat, criss-crossed by many paths. The hilly southern terrain made for difficult passage. The sole access to Um-Rasrash was through a difficult pass in the Arava.
There were 3 lengthwise roads that led to the Negev.
In the east: the Jerusalem – Hebron – BeerSheba – Ujiya – El Hafir (Nitzana) road.
In the west, the coastal road: Rehovot – Julis – Hulikat – Breir – Nir-Am – Gaza.
The third was a B' type road (paved but not tarred) from Faluja to the only road running through the 'breadth' of the Negev: Gaza – Beer Sheba.
This road was joined by a B' type road that reached the Imra police station.
All of the Jewish settlements were in the flat plains of the Negev with unpaved paths.
The objective of the Southern Command was to conquer the entire Negev area that had been included in the United Nations Partition Plan for the Jewish State.