What Was the 1956 Sinai Campaign?

But these efforts were diverted by countless terrorist incursions, namely “fadayun” infiltrating the Israeli-After the 1948 War of Independence, during which the Arab nations surrounding Israel attacked the new state in an effort to prevent its establishment, the people of Israel focused on building their country.

Egyptian border. Israel was forced to adopt measures to halt these attacks. At the same time, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, which had previously been administered by Britain and France. Egypt also closed the canal’s waters to Israeli shipping, effectively cutting off Israel’s ability to trade with much of the world.

The Ma’ale Akrabim Massacre, 1954. One of the deadliest terror attacks by the ‘Fadayun’.

What Led to the Sinai Campaign?

The Sinai Campaign was launched after a period of escalating threats along Israel’s border with Egypt, including terrorist incursions, and Egypt’s efforts to block Israeli shipping.

What Occurred During the Sinai Campaign?

In a sweeping operation lasting 100 hours, the IDF took control of the entire Sinai Peninsula under the command of Lt. Gen. Moshe Dayan.

Lt. Gen. Moshe Dayan

Moshe Dayan was born in 1915 in Degania, Israel’s first kibbutz. He fought as a teenager in the battle for Israel’s independence. After excelling in his military career, he was appointed the IDF’s fourth Chief of General Staff in 1953 and later served as Israel’s Minister of Defense.

How the Sinai Campaign Began

The Sinai Campaign began at 17:00 on October 29, 1956.

The operation opened with the IDF’s first paratroop landing in Israel’s military history. IDF paratroopers landed near the eastern approaches of the Mitla Pass, close to the Suez Canal.

Once on the ground, IDF forces advanced through southern and central routes into the Sinai Peninsula.

The IDF Advance Through Sinai

On October 30, an IDF reserve brigade equipped with requisitioned civilian buses moved through the difficult desert terrain of the Sinai Peninsula.

The brigade captured Sharm el-Sheikh at the southernmost tip of Sinai.

On November 1, Britain and France joined the IDF’s war efforts. They launched a strike on the Egyptian Air Force, which had been engaged in battle with the Israeli Air Force, leaving it virtually incapacitated.

IDF Armored Corps during the Sinai War

On November 2, a battalion of the Nahal Brigade achieved another significant victory by parachuting into El-Tor under the command of Mordechai Gur, who later became the IDF’s tenth Chief of Staff.

The battalion was met on the ground by the Paratroopers’ 890th Battalion. This landing marked the completion of Israel’s control over the Sinai Peninsula.

The territory captured during the campaign was later transferred to Egyptian hands.

Outcome of the Sinai Campaign

Israel lost 171 soldiers in battle during the Sinai Campaign.

The campaign is considered an impressive military success because it achieved its initial goal of halting the terror attacks coming from Israel’s shared border with Egypt.

After the campaign, Lt. Gen. Moshe Dayan continued to contribute to the State of Israel. He played a key role in four wars and helped negotiate Israel’s historic peace treaty with Egypt. 

FAQ's:

Q: Did Israel conquer or keep Egyptian territory during the Sinai Campaign?

A: The IDF took control of the Sinai Peninsula during the 1956 Sinai Campaign after repeated fedayeen attacks from the Egyptian border and Egypt’s closure of the Suez Canal to Israeli shipping. The territory was later transferred back to Egyptian hands.

Q: Was the Sinai Campaign about colonizing/capturing Egypt?

A: No. The Sinai Campaign was launched to stop repeated terrorist attacks from the Egyptian border and address Egypt’s efforts to block Israeli shipping. The IDF took control of the Sinai Peninsula during the operation, but the territory was later returned to Egyptian hands.