We all have been deeply disturbed over the recent terrorist attacks on the Israel by the Hamas. The attack was not only brutal and inhumane but is also was very well planned. It is now being referred by experts as one of the most brutal attacks on the Israel in its history since establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. It not only subdued the mighty IDF but also marked a serious stain on records on the unbeatable Mossad. We all know that wars are not something new for the Israel’s people and forces. But this attack have some resemblances to on of the older wars in country’s history, that was the Yom Kippur war or the 4th Arab-Israeli war. Like the latest one, this was also started on a national holiday and a festive day for Israelis, the day of YOM KIPPUR.
The war of Yom Kippur was very significant from the history’s and geopolitical point of view. Covering this whole war in an article is though tough; we’ll here try to give the relevant information, knowledge and facts of the war. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind the Yom Kippur War, the similarities it had to the latest Hamas terrorist attacks, the key leaders involved, and the course of the war that shaped the course of the Middle East.
Prelude of the Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, also known as the October War, is one of the most significant conflicts in the modern history of the Middle East. It occurred in October 1973 when the Arab states of Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel. Results of this war were so much impactful that it kept Israel out of full-fledged wars for nearly fifty years. Due to active involvements of USA & USSR, this became second point-in-time -in the cold war era- after Cuban crisis, when both superpowers were on the brink of a war.
Historical Background of the War
To understand the Yom Kippur War, one must first examine the historical context. The state of Israel had been a source of tension and conflict since its establishment in 1948. Its existence was not recognized by many Arab nations, leading to a series of Arab-Israeli conflicts. One of the most significant events was the Six-Day War in 1967. In this war Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria, and the West Bank from Jordan. Initial Israeli intentions were to use these captured territories for the negotiations of the recognition of Israeli state by Arab countries. However, an Israeli government decision in June 1967 to return these territories for peace went undisclosed and uncommunicated to Arab states. The Arab Summit in September 1967 issued the “three no’s” stance with Israel. They called it “No Peace, No Recognition & No Negotiations” with Israel. Subsequent hostilities led to the War of Attrition.
In December 1970, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signaled readiness to recognize Israel’s rights in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula. His 1971 proposal was supported by Sweden’s Gunnar Jarring, and Egypt showed a willingness to abide by UN Security Council Resolution 242. Israel’s response was lukewarm, and Golda Meir’s committee recommendation for withdrawal to pre-1967 lines was shelved.
Sadat’s domestic concerns and a deteriorating Egyptian economy pushed him toward war. In a meeting in 1972, he expressed his intention to go to war even without sufficient Soviet support. In February 1973, Sadat made a final peace proposal, offering Israeli withdrawal from Sinai, but Meir rejected it, setting the stage for the Yom Kippur War in 1973. In the lead-up to the Yom Kippur War, the situation was tense and full of warnings. Four months prior, Kissinger proposed returning the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, but Sadat was determined to go to war. Egypt built up its forces and received Soviet military aid. The Soviets thought little of Sadat’s chances in war, but couldn’t restrain him. Egyptian and Syrian military exercises were viewed with skepticism by Israeli intelligence. On the eve of the war, Egyptian reservists were demobilized to lull suspicions. Egyptian generals studied the conditions for a crossing, choosing the Yom Kippur day. Despite warnings, King Hussein of Jordan was unsure of war plans. Israeli intelligence repeatedly underestimated the impending attack. General Ariel Sharon’s observations and multiple signs eventually led to a partial reserve call-up just before the war began.
Key Battles and Course of the War
Surprise Attack (October 6, 1973): The Yom Kippur War began with a surprise attack on Israel during the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. Egyptian and Syrian forces launched coordinated offensives in the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights, respectively. The element of surprise initially favored the Arab forces. In October 1973, the Egyptian military launched an assault across the canal, deploying 100,000 soldiers, 1,350 tanks, and 2,000 heavy weapons. The Israelis faced this onslaught with only 450 soldiers in the Jerusalem Brigade and 290 tanks in all of Sinai. The Egyptian forces established bridgeheads on the east bank by October 6. Israeli counterattacks from October 6 to 8 were largely ineffective. The Egyptians hesitated to advance beyond the SAM battery protection on the west bank majorly out of two reasons; first, to avoid being hit by undeterred attacks of Israeli Air Forces and secondly, to make their defenses strong to resist further Israeli offensives.
Course of war on the Egyptian Front: On October 6, 1973, Egypt initiated Operation Badr, launching a coordinated attack against Israeli forces in the Sinai Peninsula. Anticipating Israeli armored counterattacks, the Egyptians armed their forces with anti-tank weapons. At 2:00 pm, they conducted a large airstrike, damaging Israeli airbases and radar installations. Egyptian forces began crossing the Suez Canal, breaching Israeli defenses with high-pressure water cannons. Fierce resistance ensued, but the Israeli reserve brigade was overwhelmed. Egyptian commando units attempted to hinder Israeli reserves but faced heavy losses. Egyptian forces advanced into the Sinai, with 850 tanks crossing the canal by the next morning. Many Israeli soldiers defending the Bar Lev Line became casualties. The Israeli Air Force played a minimal role due to the Syrian threat in the Golan Heights. Egypt consolidated its positions, enlarging bridgeheads and repelling Israeli counterattacks, while commandos engaged in sporadic, intense fighting. In total, this marked the beginning of the Yom Kippur War, where Egyptians were on the higher achieving front.
The Israeli offensive was initially on halt as US was low on war supplies to Israel. US was still thinking that a shift Israeli response will not only strict the war and but also it can bring some of the Arab nations into US fold which were in USSSR’s influence by then. But as USSR started airlifting the war supplies to the Syria and Egypt, US changed its stand and started airlifting the supplies to the Israel. Once getting assured of the war supplies Israel now launched the offensives in full swing. After initial setbacks Israeli offensives started getting ground.
One of the significant counterattacks of IDF was the Battle of the Sinai during the 1973 War. In this war the Egyptian armored thrust against Israeli forces encountered significant losses, with over 1,000 Egyptian casualties, while Israeli losses were 665. The Israelis later established bridgeheads on the Suez Canal’s east and west banks. This move allowed them to weaken Egyptian air defenses and significantly increase their airstrikes on Egyptian targets. In between this, the IDF decide to attack the Egypt’s Third Army while bypassing their troops present in the Sinai peninsula. This move of the IDF changed the course of the war. This not only made the Israeli positions advantageous but also gave the room to the US to start the negotiations with Egypt. Despite surrounding Egypt’s Third Army, the Israelis refrained from destroying it, and the war eventually led to negotiations and a ceasefire, with the Israelis gaining substantial territorial advantages. Egypt sought to end the war as the Israeli forces approached Cairo.
Battle of the Golan Heights or The second Front: The other front of this two front war has began with a surprise attack by Syrian forces on the Golan Heights. On October 6, 1973, Syria launched an assault with a massive force consisting of infantry, tanks, artillery, and paratroopers. The initial Syrian attack was well-coordinated and designed to exploit the element of surprise. The Israelis, initially caught off guard, faced a significant numerical disadvantage. The Syrian forces, numbering around 28,000 troops, 800 tanks, and 600 artillery pieces, attacked Israeli positions defended by approximately 3,000 troops, 180 tanks, and 60 artillery pieces.
The Syrians initiated their offensive with an airstrike and heavy artillery barrage, followed by the crossing of cease-fire lines and breaches in Israeli defenses, including minefields and tank ditches. Despite fierce Israeli resistance, the Syrian forces managed to advance and capture strategic points on the Golan Heights.
The situation began to change in favor of Israel with the arrival of reinforcements. The Israeli 7th Armored Brigade played a crucial role in holding the northern sector against the Syrian advance. Over the course of the conflict, both sides suffered heavy tank losses, with Israel ultimately pushing Syrian forces back.
The Israelis went on the offensive and crossed the pre-1967 border into Syrian territory, advancing towards Damascus. The fighting continued with intense battles and aerial engagements. Jordan and Iraq joined the war on the side of Syria, but their combined forces were unable to reverse the tide.
The war ended with a ceasefire on October 25, 1973. Israel had successfully pushed Syrian forces back, but not before overwhelming the Arab military forces once again.
Leaders on the Stage
Anwar Sadat (Egypt)
Anwar Sadat, the President of Egypt, played a central role in planning and executing the Yom Kippur War. He was a charismatic leader who had come to power after the death of Gamal Abdel Nasser. Sadat aimed to regain the Sinai Peninsula, lost during the Six-Day War, and restore Egyptian pride. Though he regained the land that he aimed, but in return ended up recognizing the state of Israel. this was not accepted well in the Arab league countries.
Hafez al-Assad (Syria)
Hafez al-Assad, the President of Syria, was the other key Arab leader in the conflict. Syria aimed to reclaim the Golan Heights, which had been lost to Israel in 1967. Assad was known for his ruthless and authoritarian rule but was determined to recover Syrian territory. Assad was defense minister in the Ba’ath party government. He launched a successful coup against that government and hence became president of Syria.
Golda Meir (Israel)
Golda Meir was the Prime Minister of Israel during the Yom Kippur War. She was Israel’s first and only female head of government, the first female head of government in the Middle East, and the fourth elected female head of government or state in the world. She was a strong and resolute leader, but Israel was caught off guard by the Arab attack. Her leadership and decisions during the war would be heavily scrutinized.
Ariel Sharon (Israel)
Ariel Sharon, an Israeli general, and later a Prime Minister, played a pivotal role in the war’s outcome. His strategic thinking and audacious military maneuvers were instrumental in turning the tide of the conflict.
Impact and Aftermath
International pressure, particularly from the United States and the Soviet Union, led to a ceasefire on October 22, 1973. The Yom Kippur War had far-reaching consequences. Although a ceasefire was in place, the war marked a significant shift in the balance of power in the region. Egypt and Syria had demonstrated their military capabilities and regained some territory, and this had implications for future negotiations.
Diplomacy and Peace Treaties
The war set the stage for subsequent peace negotiations. In 1979, Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David Accords, leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, which was a milestone in Middle East diplomacy. . The Yom Kippur War, with its surprise attacks, intense battles, and diplomatic repercussions, is a conflict that still shapes the Middle East today.
The Yom Kippur War had a profound impact on the psyche of the Israeli people. It was a sobering reminder of the challenges they faced and the need for improved intelligence and readiness. It was a war that tested the leadership and military capabilities of the nations involved, leading to changes in alliances and the subsequent pursuit of peace. The Yom Kippur War serves as a reminder of the complexity and fragility of the region, as well as the ongoing struggle for stability and resolution in the Middle East.
