Battles of the Kinarot Valley

Battles of the Kinarot Valley
Part of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War

Preserved Renault R35 tank destroyed by Israel at Degania. The PIAT's hit can be seen at the top of the turret.
Date15–21 May 1948
Location
Israel, Syria (Golan Heights)
Result See aftermath
Belligerents
 Israel (Haganah) Syria Syria
Commanders and leaders
Israel Moshe Dayan Syria Anwar Bannud
Syria Abdullah Wahab el-Hakim
Syria Husni al-Za'im
Strength

~70 (Degania Alef)[1][2]

~80 (Degania Bet)[3]		 Infantry brigade,
Tank battalion,
Two armored vehicle battalions,
Artillery battalion[4]
Casualties and losses
8 (Degania Alef)[5]
54 (Tzemah)[3]		 45 (Israeli estimate)

The Battles of the Kinarot Valley (Hebrew: הַמַּעֲרָכָה בְּבִקְעַת כִּנָּרוֹת, HaMa'arakha BeBik'at Kinarot), is a collective name for a series of military engagements between the Haganah and the Syrian army during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, fought between 15–22 May 1948 in the Kinarot Valley. It includes two main sites: the Battle of Degania–Samakh (Tzemah), and battles near Masada–Sha'ar HaGolan. The engagements were part of the battles of the Jordan Valley, which also saw fighting against Transjordan in the area of Gesher.

The battles took place approximately 24 hours after the Israeli declaration of independence, when Syria shelled Ein Gev on the night of 15–16 May. This was the first military engagement between Israel and Syria. On 18 May, Syria attacked the Israeli forward position in Samakh (Tzemah), and on 20 May attacked Degania Alef and occupied Masada and Sha'ar HaGolan. The attack on Degania Alef was a failure, after which the Syrian forces attempted to capture Degania Bet. After reaching a stalemate, they retreated to their initial position in Tel al-Qasr, where they remained until the end of the war.

The campaign was perceived as a decisive Israeli victory, causing reorganizations in the Syrian high command and the birth of heroic tales in Israel. However, Syria made a small territorial gain and certain actions were criticized within Israel, such as the retreat from Masada and Sha'ar HaGolan.

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  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference morris254 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference yitzhaki97 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).