may 4, 1948 - Operation Matateh

Description:

Operation Matateh, also known as Operation Broom, was a Haganah offensive launched in May 1948 as a part of Operation Yiftach. Commanded by Yigal Allon and executed by Palmach units, its goal was to capture and clear the flatlands between Lake Tiberias and Lake Hula of Bedouin encampments. The operation aimed to secure a safe passage between the lower and upper Galilee by eliminating enemy bases that disrupted Jewish traffic and preparing for potential invasions from the east.

The operation involved the destruction of villages and expulsion of Bedouin communities, specifically targeting areas like Zanghariyya, Tabigha, and 'Arab ash Shamalina. These communities were attacked, with houses blown up and tents burned, resulting in a significant number of refugees fleeing eastward into Syria. The offensive had a notable psychological impact, particularly influencing the morale and strategic situation around Safed and the Hula Valley. The operation successfully linked the Galilean regions while displacing numerous Bedouin families, significantly altering the demographic landscape.

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