IDF Paratroopers' Bloody Battle in 1956 Changed the Military Forever
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
In October 1956, Israeli paratroopers launched a bloody night raid on the Jordanian police fortress in Husan, destroying the target but suffering ten fatalities and sixteen wounded. The operation, a reprisal for civilian murders, was commanded by Ariel Sharon and led to a realization within the IDF about the high cost of such actions. Efforts are now underway to commemorate the soldiers' legacy and preserve their stories.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The IDF's Paratroopers Brigade conducted its first brigade-level operation, a night raid on Husan, in October 1956.
- The raid destroyed the Jordanian police fortress but resulted in ten Israeli soldiers killed and sixteen wounded.
- The operation was a reprisal for the murder of four scientists and civilians.
- Ariel Sharon commanded the overall operation, which involved two battalions.
- The battle led the IDF to understand the high cost of reprisal actions and the need for decisive operations.
- Modern efforts are underway to commemorate the soldiers and document their stories.
During Sukkot in 1956, the Paratroopers Brigade conducted its first-ever brigade-level operation, a night raid on the Jordanian police fortress in Husan. The attack, a reprisal for the murder of four scientists and civilians, resulted in the complete destruction of the target but came at a heavy cost of ten soldiers killed and sixteen wounded. Then-Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan noted in his diary that while the mission was successful and the police station was demolished, the price paid against the fiercely fighting Jordanian Legion soldiers was steep.
The operation, codenamed "Operation Lulav," was commanded by Ariel Sharon and involved two battalions. Mordechai Gur led the 88th Battalion, urging his soldiers to be resolute, while Raphael Eitan commanded the 890th Battalion, supported by artillery and other forces. The battle saw intense human drama, with various companies tasked with breaching the police building, carrying explosives, providing backup, and blocking enemy reinforcements. One notable incident involved an ambush of a Jordanian jeep, neutralizing its commander and driver.
Fighters recounted harrowing experiences, including one soldier who was presumed dead after being severely wounded by a grenade but was saved by a comrade who recognized signs of life and arranged his evacuation. The battle's aftermath led to a crucial understanding within the IDF that while tactical reprisal operations could achieve objectives, they incurred significant human losses, necessitating a shift towards decisive, comprehensive actions.
Today, thanks to the research of Benjamin Tropper and the advocacy of Dr. Yossi Frochtman, the legacy of the soldiers involved is being commemorated. The efforts of the late Dr. Arie Gilai in documenting the fighters' stories also ensure that the memory of that intense night remains preserved.