(July 9-18, 1948) The IDF's greatest offensive effort during the
ten days of fighting [in between the first and second truce] was
directed against the Arab Legion on the central front, the area
between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The aim of this operation was to
relieve Jerusalem and remove the threat to Tel Aviv. The first
phase was to occupy the areas of Lod and Ramle; while the second
phase called for the capture of Latrun and Ramallah with the
intention of raising the siege on Jerusalem. The operation was
to be carried out under Palmach command, utilizing a task force
comprised of the Yiftach Brigade, the new 8th Armored Brigade (
made up of a tank battalion, a commando battalion of jeeps and
half-tracks), and two battalions from the Kiryati and
Alexandroni Brigades, as well as additional artillery and
engineering units. Two forces struck in a pincer movement, one
advancing towards Lod and Ramle from the northwest, the other
from the southwest. During this advance, a small force detached
itself to capture al-