This volume sheds new light on one of the most decisive moments in Arab - Israeli relations and the series of events that were to decide the modern borders of Israel after Egyptian forces crossed the borders into Palestine on 15 May 1948. Against all expectations, the State of Israel did not collapse in the face of its larger and more powerful opponent. Dr Tal examines the reasons behind the new state's victories against Egypt, as well as its failures, which were decisive in delimiting Israel's borders and were finally sealed in the Egyptian-Israeli General Armistice Agreement, signed on Rhodes, in March 1949.