Middle East 683
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Israel seized a Syrian ship when it entered Israeli waters trying to reach
Gaza.
MID#3405
Dispute Number: 3405
Date(s): October 14, 1955 to July 22, 1960
Participants: 651 Egypt, 652 Syria, 663 Jordan/666 Israel
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 101–250 deaths
Narrative: This six-year dispute began when Israelis and Syrians clashed near the
Jordan River in October 1955. Clashes renewed in December and various incidents of
incursions and cross-border fire continued throughout the conflict. Some of the most
significant fighting occurred when Israeli planes were turned back after an attack on
Egyptian air force bases. However, the numerous clashes and length of armed hostili-
ties made this dispute one of the bloodier conflicts short of war among these states.
Coding changes: Added to the dispute: 663 Jordan. End Date changed from June 9,
1960.
MID#3419
Started in November 1958. See the narrative in the 651 Egypt/666 Israel dyad dispute
list.
MID#3434
Dispute Number: 3434
Date(s): November 1, 1961 to November 27, 1966
Participants: 652 Syria/666 Israel
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 101–250 deaths
Narrative: The border between Egypt and Syria along the Sea of Galilee was calm for
several months because Israel wanted to take advantage of the United Arab Republic
split. However, on November 1, 1961, Israel reported that Syrian forces had fired on
a tractor plowing on Israel’s side of the border.
Israeli and Syrian forces exchanged fire in the incident, and Israel also reported the
incident to the Mixed Armistice Commission (MAC). A number of other incidents
were reported in March 1962, including an Israeli reprisal raid on Syrian villages that
was condemned by the UN Security Council. A ceasefire was brokered on March
17, only to be broken by firing between the two sides the next day. Shootings were
also reported on June 15 and 26. Another clash was reported in August, after which
the Israeli government asked the United Nations for help with Syrian aggression. A
ceasefire was also brokered after this incident on August 29, but it too was broken on