1948 Israeli bombing of Cairo | |
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Part of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War | |
Location | Cairo, Egypt |
Date | July 15, 1948 |
Deaths | 30 Egyptian civilians |
Perpetrator | ![]() |
The Israeli Air Force bombarded a residential neighborhood near Qasr al-Qubba in Cairo on July 15, 1948, during the international phase of the 1948 Palestine war. [1] The attack was carried out during the breaking of the fast of Ramadan and killed 30 civilians and destroyed many homes. [2] It led to an angry march on the Jewish quarter. [2]
Before the establishment of the State of Israel, the Haganah had ordered three Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress planes from the United States through US Mahal operative Al Schwimmer. [3] [4] [5] The heavy bomber planes were prepared for combat by Mahal recruit Ray Kurtz. [3] They were acquired during the truce and smuggled from Czechoslovakia in violation of an arms embargo. [6] [7] [3]
The 69 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force was flying the planes, which were ordered to strike Egyptian targets on the way from Czechoslovakia. [4] The air operation attempted to bomb King Farouq's Abdeen Palace. [4] One plane went to Cairo but failed to hit the palace. [4] The bombing struck a residential neighborhood during Iftar, killing 30 Egyptians and striking a rail line. [4] [2] According to Al-Ahram the following day, the bombardment happened at 7:55 pm. [8]
The two other planes were supposed to strike el-ʻArīsh but bombed Rafah instead. [4]
The bombardment killed 30 Egyptians, struck a rail line, and led to an angry march on a Jewish quarter in Cairo. [2] [4]