The occupation of Ein-Gedi by the 'Alexandroni' Brigade
The occupation of the Dead Sea area north of Sedom was vital for the freeing of the southern Negev. On the 7th of March, 1949, an 'Alexadroni' Brigade force left Be'er-Sheba, arrived at Sedom and left by boats in order to occupy the Ein-Gedi and Mesada area, while Brigade forces captured commanding posts on the road leading from Be'er-Sheba to Daharia.
According to intelligence, the Jordanians did not occupy Ein- Gedi, never the less it was taken into account they might come from Hebron once it was captured by the I.D.F. On the 7th of March, 1949, 'Alexandroni' Brigade 32nd battalion Company A left Be'er-Sheba and arrived in Sedom via 'Ma'ale Ha'aqrabim' on the following day. On the 8th of March, at sun down, Navy teams comprised of a landing craft, a motor boat and a scull transported the Company by boat to the coast of Ein-Gedi. A Company under the command of Deputy Company commander unloaded and secured the embarking facilities, the equipment and provisions. The Company under the command of Company commander captured the spring and dominated the Ein-Gedi area while a third Company deployed on the cliff opposite the Hebron access road. At the same time, the Brigade captured 7 permanent posts along the Ein-Gedi-Arad- Daharia bridge route, thus enabling the 'Alexandroni' Brigade to stabilize the Negev north-east line.