Israeli bombing of Cairo

This article is about the Israeli aerial bombardment of Cairo in 1948. For the bombings of Jewish neighborhoods in Cairo, see 1948 Cairo bombings.

1948 Israeli bombing of Cairo
Part of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War
Location	Cairo, Egypt
Date	July 15, 1948
Deaths	30 Egyptian civilians
Perpetrator	Israeli Air Force 69 Squadron

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]

Background

Al Schwimmer and others in Tel Aviv in 1949.

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]}

Attacks on Egyptian targets

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]

Results

The bombardment killed 30 Egyptians, struck a rail line, and led to an angry march on a Jewish quarter in Cairo. ^{[9] [4]}

The bombardment raised morale in Tel Aviv. ^[4]

Aftermath

In the heightened tensions following the attack, a series of bombings targeted Jewish businesses and institutions in Cairo, including the Cicurel Department Store of the Cicurel family. ^[2]

See also

• Israeli war crimes
• Killings and massacres during the 1948 Palestine war

References

1. "CAIRO IS BOMBED BY ISRAEL FLIER; Arab Planes Counter With Air Blows at Jerusalem, Haifa -- Land Fronts Quiet". The New York Times. 16 July 1948. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
2. Beinin, Joel (1998-12-31). "The 1948 Arab-Israeli War". The Dispersion of Egyptian Jewry. University of California Press. ISBN   978-0-520-92021-7.
3. Freeman-Maloy, Dan (2011). "Mahal and the Dispossession of the Palestinians" . Journal of Palestine Studies. 40 (2): 43–61. doi:10.1525/jps.2011.xl.2.43. ISSN   0377-919X. JSTOR   10.1525/jps.2011.xl.2.43.
4. Morris, Benny (2017-12-31), "The First Truce, 11 June–8 July 1948, the International Community, and the War", 1948 : a history of the first Arab-Israeli war , Yale University Press, pp. 264–272, doi:10.12987/9780300145243-009, ISBN   978-0-300-14524-3 , retrieved 2023-12-14
5. Leone, Dario (2014-07-22). "Here's How Israel Managed To Get Three Second Hand B-17 Flying Fortress Bombers". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
6. "1917: A Man Who Smuggled Jets Into Israel to Create Its First Air Force, Is Born (And Dies)". Haaretz. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
7. "U.N. ASKS A 4-WEEK TRUCE, PALESTINE ARMS EMBARGO; SANCTIONS ARE THREATENED; ISRAEL SCORES STEP Syrian for Acceptance -- Plan Would Bar New Troops for Holy Land SOVIET MOVE BEATEN, 5-0 Supported by U.S., It Sought to Declare Breach of Peace -- Gromyko Blames Britain U.N. ASKS A TRUCE IN THE HOLY LAND". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
8. "Page 1." Al-Ahram (الاهرام), 16 Jul. 1948, https://gpa.eastview.com/alahram/newspapers/aar19480716-01
9. Beinin, Joel. Berkeley:  University of California Press,  c1998 1998. http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft2290045n/