Operation " Hammer of G-d"

[lion_of_judah]

# AFTER ACTION REPORT

## May 30, 1950

### Operation “Hammer of G-d”

**Middle Eastern Theater — Israeli Defense Forces**

Today, the State of Israel launched a massive coordinated offensive across two fronts in what Israeli High Command has designated **Operation “Hammer of G-d.”** The operation represents the largest Israeli military undertaking to date and has opened a new chapter in the struggle for control of the Middle East.

### The Jordanian Front

At first light, Israeli forces crossed into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in a powerful offensive aimed at destroying organized Jordanian resistance and seizing the kingdom's major strategic centers.

Israeli formations advanced rapidly toward **Amman**, encountering resistance along the approaches to the Jordanian capital. After intense fighting, Israeli forces succeeded in breaking through the city's defenses and **captured Amman**.

The fall of the Jordanian capital represents a major strategic victory. Israeli forces now control the political center of Jordan and have effectively shattered the kingdom's ability to coordinate a unified defense from its capital.

Further south, Israeli forces pushed toward the Red Sea and seized the strategically important port of **Al'Aqabah**. The capture of the port gives Israel an important southern supply point and strengthens Israeli control over the approaches to the Red Sea.

With both Amman and Al'Aqabah in Israeli hands, Jordanian forces are facing an increasingly desperate strategic situation.

### The Sinai Offensive

While the battle for Jordan raged, Israeli forces simultaneously opened a second major offensive against **Egyptian positions in the Sinai Peninsula**.

The **Israeli Southern Command** launched attacks across the northern approaches to Sinai, while the **Northern Command** committed additional forces to widen the offensive and prevent Egyptian forces from concentrating against any single axis.

The Israeli advance has encountered considerably heavier resistance than that experienced in Jordan.

Egyptian forces have established strong defensive positions around **El'Arish**, turning the city into the principal obstacle to the Israeli advance. Egyptian troops are resisting fiercely, and repeated Israeli attacks have met stiff opposition.

El'Arish has therefore emerged as the immediate focal point of the Sinai campaign.

Israeli commanders are expected to continue applying pressure against the Egyptian defenses while attempting to find weaknesses elsewhere along the front. The capture of El'Arish would open the way for further Israeli advances deeper into Sinai and potentially threaten Egypt's ability to maintain its defensive line.

### Strategic Situation

Operation “Hammer of G-d” has dramatically altered the strategic balance in the region in a matter of hours.

**Jordanian Front:**

* Amman captured by Israeli forces.
* Al'Aqabah captured.
* Jordanian resistance severely disrupted.
* Israeli forces consolidating their gains and preparing for further operations.

**Sinai Front:**

* Israeli Southern and Northern Commands advancing into Sinai.
* Egyptian forces maintaining a determined defense.
* El'Arish remains firmly contested and represents the principal Egyptian strongpoint.
* Further Israeli advances will depend upon breaking the Egyptian defensive line.

The Israeli High Command has made clear that the objective extends beyond the immediate battlefield. The capture of Jordanian territory and the offensive into Sinai are being presented as steps toward the creation of a larger Israeli state encompassing territory traditionally envisioned by Israeli expansionists.

### High Command Assessment

The opening phase of **Operation “Hammer of G-d”** has exceeded expectations on the Jordanian front. The rapid capture of Amman and Al'Aqabah has placed Israeli forces in control of two critical strategic locations.

The Sinai campaign, however, promises to be considerably more difficult.

Egyptian resistance at El'Arish demonstrates that the war is far from decided. Israeli forces will have to overcome organized Egyptian defenses before the Sinai can be secured.

Nevertheless, tonight the Israeli High Command can claim a dramatic battlefield success.

**Amman has fallen. Al'Aqabah has fallen. The invasion of Sinai is underway.**

For the first time, the vision of a **Greater Israel** appears within reach of the Israeli armies advancing across the region.

**Operation “Hammer of G-d” has begun—and the Middle East will never be the same.**