Why Israel Was Surprised in 1973Israeli analysts relied on a mistaken ‘Concept’ that Egypt would not attack before acquiring capabilities it lacked. Repeated exercises, conflicting warnings and late mobilization compounded the error; the Agranat Commission later examined intelligence and readiness failures.
Egypt’s Crossing of the Suez CanalOn October 6, 1973, Egyptian forces crossed the Suez Canal under a coordinated air and artillery attack. Engineers used water pumps to cut passages through the sand embankment, while bridges and ferries moved follow-on forces into Sinai.
The Golan Front: Valley of Tears and Mount HermonSyrian forces attacked the Golan Heights on October 6, 1973, and Israeli units fought to hold key routes and positions. Israel later retook the Hermon outpost in Operation Kinu’ah after heavy fighting in the closing days of the war.
Israel’s Canal Crossing and the Egyptian Third ArmyIsraeli forces crossed the Suez Canal on the night of October 15–16, 1973, after fierce fighting near Chinese Farm. The west-bank bridgehead widened into an encirclement of Egypt’s Third Army, which remained intact and was supplied under ceasefire arrangements.
Operation Nickel Grass: The U.S. Airlift to IsraelFrom October 14 to November 14, 1973, U.S. military transports flew 567 missions and delivered more than 22,000 tons of materiel to Israel, including ammunition and other military supplies.
The 1973 War’s Superpower Crisis and CeasefireAfter the October 22 ceasefire faltered and Israel encircled Egypt’s Third Army, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev proposed joint action to enforce the truce. Washington put U.S. forces on DEFCON 3 and pressed for a renewed ceasefire under UN Resolution 338.