Operation Hiram was a military operation conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It was led by General Moshe Carmel, and aimed at capturing the Upper Galilee region from the Arab Liberation Army (ALA) forces led by Fawzi al-Qawuqji and a Syrian battalion. The operation, which lasted 60 hours, was marked by heavy fighting between Arabs and Jews, and ended just before the ceasefire with the neighboring Arab countries went into effect.
IDF soldiers in Sa'sa', 30 October 1948
Villages captured during Operation Hiram. Grid = 10km
A Palmach unit attacks Sa'sa
Israeli machine gun position during an assault on Sa'sa
The Arab Liberation Army, also translated as Arab Salvation Army or Arab Rescue Army (ARA), was an army of volunteers from Arab countries led by Fawzi al-Qawuqji. It fought on the Arab side in the 1948 Palestine war and was set up by the Arab League as a counter to the Arab High Committee's Holy War Army, but in fact, the League and Arab governments prevented thousands from joining either force.
ALA on parade, 1948
An Otter armored car captured by the Haganah from the ALA (Arab Liberation Army- Kaukji's army) in 1948.
Image: The army of liberation works wonders al mussawar 19480403
