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3. Organizing the defense of Jerusalem and the villages and arranging the night guard.

Then I received a letter from him dated 1 January 1948. He wrote: “We received your last letter and will act according to your valuable recommendations.” He then summarized the work he had carried out:

1. Jerusalem’s defense has become good and has in some circumstances turned into a strong counterattack.

2. We saw that an attack from inside Jerusalem was necessary to strengthen morale and remove some dangerous positions, such as the mental hospital in Sheikh Jarrah, Hadassah Hospital, and the Hebrew University, since the danger in them lies in their control of access to the city from the north and east.

3. We will carry out a massive attack as soon as the ammunition and explosives reach us. We will make the Ramallah district a center for mobilization and offensive operations, and we have already moved there.

4. We are in contact with all the regions and with Abu Ali, Hasan Salama. Rapid measures are being taken to strengthen the cells we established in various areas.

5. Morale is very strong, especially in the areas where clashes have occurred between Arabs and Jews.

Then I received a letter from him dated 4 January 1948, informing me that he had received my letter dated 30 December 1947. It said:

1. We have completed the foundations needed to organize Lifta and the neighboring villages and have appointed Yahya Hammuda (1) as their person in charge.

2. We are very concerned with the Ein Karem area and will move there soon.

3. Securing the defense of Jerusalem and the surrounding villages is our overriding concern, and we have made progress toward it.

4. We are alert and cautious and are trying to benefit from every person’s effort for the public interest.

(1) Yahya Hammuda: From Lifta near Hebron, a Palestinian activist who participated in the Palestinian national movement and became the second chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization after Ahmad al-Shuqayri resigned.