July 9–18, 1948 · Central Palestine Theater
July 9–18, 1948
When the first UN ceasefire broke down in early July, the IDF — now equipped with Czech artillery and aircraft — launched the 'Ten Days' offensive. Israeli forces captured Lydda and Ramle, towns of 50,000 people each. After a brief Arab Legion counterattack, Rabin (under Ben-Gurion's authority) ordered the expulsion of the towns' Arab populations. In summer heat, 50,000–70,000 people were forced to march east toward the Arab lines. Several hundred died from the conditions. The march was later confirmed in Rabin's memoirs.
Commanders