The Israeli Air Force bombarded a residential neighborhood near Qasr al-Qubba in Cairo on July 15, 1948, during the international phase of the 1948 Palestine war.[1] The attack was carried out during the breaking of the fast of Ramadan and killed many civilians and destroyed many homes.[2] It led to an angry march on the Jewish quarter.[2]
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Sam_Lewish_and_Al_Schwimmer_in_Tel_Aviv_1949.jpg/200px-Sam_Lewish_and_Al_Schwimmer_in_Tel_Aviv_1949.jpg)
Procurement of B-17s
Before the establishment of the State of Israel, the Haganah had ordered three Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress planes from the United States through US Mahal operative Al Schwimmer.[3][4][5] The heavy bomber planes were prepared for combat by Mahal recruit Ray Kurtz.[3] They were acquired during the truce and smuggled from Czechoslovakia in violation of an arms embargo.[6][7][3]
Attacks on Egyptian targets
The 69 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force was flying the planes, which were ordered to strike Egyptian targets on the way from Czechoslovakia.[4] The air operation attempted to bomb King Farouq's Abdeen Palace.[4] One plane went to Cairo but failed to hit the palace.[4] The bombing struck a residential neighborhood during Iftar, killing 30 Egyptians and striking a rail line.[4][2] According to Al-Ahram the following day, the bombardment happened at 7:55 pm.[8]
The two other planes were supposed to strike el-ʻArīsh but bombed Rafah instead.[4]
Results
The bombardment killed 30 Egyptians, struck a rail line, and led to an angry march on a Jewish quarter in Cairo.[2][4]