December 28 marks 75 years since Israel won the battle of ‘Auja and crossed the border of Egypt. ‘Auja is currently Nitzana, along the border between Israel and the Sinai.
The battle of ‘Auja was part of Operation “Horev,” an attack on the Egyptian expeditionary force in the Negev and Eastern Sinai.
After 75 years, the IDF is once again battling in the Negev against a different opponent, Hamas.
The operation’s first stage was capturing 18 Egyptian positions on the Beersheva – ‘Auja road, including seven around ‘Auja. The attack was conducted by 8th Brigade forces, reinforced by troops from the Harel Brigade.
Operation Horev began on December 22, with assaults at Hill 86 and Rafah. These attacks were a diversion from the IDF’s main operations in Beersheba.
This envelope cut the coast road and created a circle that denied the Egyptian Army a key line of communication. It would allow the IDF to defeat its Egyptian forces and compel the Egyptian government to enter armistice negotiations.
This battle triggered a complete withdrawal of Egyptian forces along the Beersheba – ‘Auja road, and many Egyptian soldiers surrendered themselves to Israeli forces. This battle was the end of the Egyptian campaign across its border and initiated the battle within Egyptian territory. After this battle, the Egyptian eastern wing completely fell apart.
After this battle, the Israeli military sent its forces into the Sinai peninsula. However, all Israeli forces eventually withdrew due to international pressure.
After the war ‘Auja and its surrounding area became a demilitarized zone. However, Israel recaptured it in 1955.
