June 6, 1967
War breaks out in Middle East
Tensions in the Middle East have erupted into all-out war. Yesterday, Israel launched a strike against three of its Arab neighbors: Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Israeli air attacks against Egypt began yesterday morning, which was followed by air strikes in Jordan and on Syrian air force bases. In concert with the air strikes, Israeli tanks and infantry crossed the border into the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. [1]
Israeli forces have reportedly destroyed nearly 400 Egypt-based military aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol said that the Egyptian Air Force had taken a great beating and have largely destroyed the Jordanian and Syrian air forces. [2] In retaliation, Syria, Jordan and Iraq have begun air strikes on Haifa, Netanya, and other Israeli targets, while Jordan and Iraq have attempted airstrikes against Tel Aviv. [3]
The United Nations will meet today to call for an immediate cessation of all military activities in the area. So far, the American government has been reluctant to get involved in the conflict. At a press conference yesterday, Department of State Robert McCloskey affirmed that the US position is "neutral in thought, word and deed." [4] However, there is speculation among some that the US may intervene in the event that Israel begins to lose. But with Vietnam casualties now over 300 a week [5], it will be difficult to convince the public to fight two wars at once.