Back to the video list: Israeli History

 

In 1973 Egypt and Syria tried to overrun Israel on the day of Yom Kippur. During the following weeks the Israel Defense Forces fought back and could prevail.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 06 – 25 Oct 1973 (22 Oct)
  • Location: Sinai & Golan Heights
  • Start: Surprise attacks by Egypt & Syria
  • End: Ceasefire after a UN resolution

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • Israel, supported by:
    • United States of America (extensive arms delivery)
  • Egypt & Syria, supported by:
    • Iraq
    • Libya
    • Jordan
    • Soviet Union (extensive arms delivery)

 

Background 

  • After the Arabs have militarily lost three wars (Israeli War of Independence 1948, Suez Crises 1956 & Six-Day War 1967) they seek revenge
  • Syria & Egypt aim to regain the territories they lost during the Six Day War:
    • Sinai & Gaza Strip (Egypt)
    • Golan Heights (Syria)
  • Syria (& Egypt) try to achieve a hegemonial position in the (pan-)Arabic world
  • The Egyptian president Sadat is under pressure on the domestic front:
    • A (latent) economic crisis requires fundamental reforms
    • The Egyptian people expect the recapture of the Sinai
  • The Egyptian & Syrian forces are modernised & equipped with the latest military hardware from the Soviet Union
  • After several military victories (see above) parts of the Israel Defence Forces underestimate their Arab opponents

 

History

  • Until Sep 1973: The Egyptian army conducts several manoeuvres during which troops are moved to the Suez Canal & then withdrawn; covertly some troops remain on the front line
  • 25 Sep 1973: King Hussein of Jordan warns prime minister Meir of an immanent Egyptian-Syrian attack – the warning is ignored in Israel
  • 06 Oct 1973: Egyptian artillery opens fire on the Bar Lev Line & Egyptian infantry establishes 5 bridgeheads on the east bank of the Canal
  • 06 Oct 1973: Syrian air strikes against the Golan Heights & Syrian paratroopers take Mount Hermon
  • 06 – 07 Oct 1973: Egypt takes nearly the entire Bar Lev Line & sets up defensive positions with modern anti-tank & anti-aircraft missiles
  • 06 – 08 Oct 1973: An Israeli counter-offensive with tanks & the air force fails under high casualties
  • 06 – 07 Oct 1973: Syrian army advance on the Golan Heights with a massive tank force
  • 08 – 10 Oct 1973: Israeli counter-offensive with tanks & aircrafts drives the Syrians out of the Golan Heights
  • 11 – 14 Oct 1973: Israeli Army overruns the Syrian positions & advances deep into Syria (40 km to Damascus)
  • From 14 Oct 1973: The danger of a Syrian invasion is averted
  • Israeli reinforcements are moved to the Sinai & esp. the Israeli Air Force intensifies its operations
  • 14 Oct 1973: A major offensive of the Egyptian army fails with massive losses (at least 250 tanks, 200 vehicles & 1‘000 troops)
  • 15 – 17 Oct 1973: Israeli offensive which leads to the establishment of bridgeheads on both sides of the Canal
  • From 16 Oct 1973: Israeli Air Force destroys more & more anti-aircraft positions
  • 18 – 25 Oct 1973: Israeli ground troops pour into Africa & encircle the Egyptian 3rd Army at Suez
  • 25 Oct 1973: A ceasefire takes effect; but it is broken several times until 18 Jan 1974

 

Consequences & Impact

  • Egypt & Syria lose the war despite their early successes:
    • An enormous boost of reputation for Sadat & Assad
    • Arab leaders realise that they cannot militarily defeat Israel
  • The early military successes of Egypt & Syria shock Israel and lead to:
    • Military reforms
    • New direction in foreign affairs
  • The “Land for Peace Policy” becomes a viable option for Egypt & Israel:
    • Camp David Accords follow in 1978: Israel withdraws from the Sinai & Egypt signs a peace treaty (main reason for the assassination of Sadat in 1981)
  • Arab states use oil embargos & the oil price as weapons against supporters of Israel, esp. against the USA:
    • 1973 Oil Crisis & recession in the industrialised countries
    • Main reason for founding the G6/G7 in Rambouillet (1975)