The War of Attrition
With the war over, Israel's diplomatic challenge was to translate its military gains into a permanent peace based on UN Security Council Resolution 242, which called for "acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every state in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force." However, the Arab position, as formulated at the Khartoum Summit Conference in August 1967 called for "no peace with Israel, no negotiations with Israel and no recognition of Israel." The Arab countries interpreted the resolution as saying that Israel should leave all territory it occupied after the partition plan even though they refused to recognize Israel. In September 1968, Egypt initiated a 'war of attrition,' with sporadic, static actions along the banks of the Suez Canal, which escalated into full-scale fighting, causing heavy casualties on both sides. IDF engaged in a number of daring raids -- the most spectacular being the capture and safe transportation to Israel of a complete Russian-made radar installation in good working order. When the Israel Air Force began its bombing attacks against targets in Egypt's depth, Nasser in desperation turned to the Soviet Union to provide Egypt not only with Russian equipment, but also with Russian air and ground troops. After some consideration, the Soviet Union reluctantly agreed. Soon afterwards the US, afraid that Big-Power direct involvement would escalate into a WWIII that would involve nuclear missiles, agreed with the USSR to put an end to the war under the "cease-fire stand-still" formula of the Security Council (July 1970). By the time the war ended, 1,424 soldiers were killed in action.
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