Had the Israeli crossing westwards the canal realized the military objective of Israel ?
The objective of Israeli crossing from the east (Sinai) to the west was to:
- Bombard the missiles batteries anti-planes "Sam"
- Occupy Ismailia city, to encircle the second army by Sharon’s forces.
- Occupy Suez city and encircle the third army by forces of Avraham Adan and Kalman Magen.
But Sharon failed to occupy Ismailia city and the same with Adan and Magen to encircle third Egyptian Army and occupy Suez city.
About crossing to the west of the canal, David Elazar chief of Israeli headquarter staff on 3 December 1973, says:
(Sharon still continues his irresponsible declaration to journalists trying to lessen the role of other leaders to appear as an unique champion, although he knows well that our crossing to the western side of the canal caused too much losses.
However, we could not along ten days of fighting to overcome any of Egyptian armies. The second army resisted and prevented us ultimately to reach Ismaila city.
As for the third army, in spite of our encircling them they resisted and advanced to occupy in fact a wider area of land at the east. Thus, we can not say that we defeated or conquered them) David Elazar.