Jordanian campaign (1967)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict= Jordanian campaign
partof= Six Day War
date= 6-7 June 1967
place= West Bank, East Jerusalem
combatant1= Israel
combatant2= Jordan
Iraq
commanders1=flagicon|Israel Uzi Narkiss
flagicon|Israel Moshe Dayan
commanders2=flagicon|Jordan King Hussein
result= Israeli victory, Israel seizes the West Bank and East Jerusalem
casualties1=550 killed, 2,400 wounded
casualties2=Jordan: 700 killed, 2,500 wounded
Iraq: 10 killed, 30 wounded

The Jordanian campaign of 1967 was part of the broader Six-Day War, in which Israel inflicted a devastating defeat on Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq.

Background

In response to concerns that its neighbours would attack, Israeli planners drew up plans for a preemtive strike. On 5 June 1967, Israel launched operation Operation Focus, in which the Israeli Air Force almost totally annihilated the air forces of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. After defeating Egypt in desert combat, which took place in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Israel then turned it's attention to Jordan.

Battle

King Hussein of Jordan had not only Jordanian troops but also a force of Iraqi commandos to assist him in the defense. Israel's objective was to capture East Jerusalem, then under Jordanian administration. Israeli and Jordanian troops engaged in urban combat in east Jerusalem. In fierce hand-to-hand fighting, Israeli troops broke through high walls and entered the Old city of Jerusalem. Near the hospital in east Jerusalem, Jordanian troops occupied trenches surrounding the hospital. These proved to be death traps as Israeli jets dropped Napalm bombs into the trenches. The liquid flames incinerated many soldiers. One Jordanian commander recalled "I found one of my soldiers shriveled up to the size of my hand". Fighting also raged in other areas of the West Bank, where Iraqi commandos and Jordanian soldiers defended their positions. The Jordanians fought fiercely from their bunkers and strongpoints, and had to be dislodged by the Israelis. The Battle of Ammunition Hill was one of the fiercest battles of the war, in which a force of Israeli troops faced Jordanian soldiers on a hill in east Jerusalem; 71 Jordanians and 37 Israelis were killed. Israeli troops also seized Bethlehem. Israeli troops moved behind tanks and left holy sites untouched. 40 Jordanian defenders were killed, the remainder retreated. The Jordanians and Iraqis were eventually pushed out of the West Bank. The Israelis could once again pray at the Western Wall, the first time in 19 years.

Aftermath

700 Jordanian and 10 Iraqis were killed and 2,500 Jordanians and 30 Iraqis were wounded, whilst 550 Israelis had been killed, and 2,400 wounded. The Israelis moved on to the mountanous Golan Heights, then occupied by Syria. After mountain fighting with Syrian troops, the Israelis captured the Golan Heights.