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two days ago. Before that we seized Lydda Station. We remain stationed alone at these centers without the assistance of any regular force. Attacks on these centers, and on Ramle, Lydda, and the surrounding villages, have intensified. The dead and wounded are falling, and they are threatened with collapse...”

(Hasan Salama)

20 May 1948

“The Jews were repelled from the city of Ramle for the fourth time after launching a series of continuous attacks over four days with large numbers and all kinds of weapons. They prepared their attacks with mortar, howitzer, and Salband fire. In all these battles, the fighters from Lydda came to the aid of their brothers and rained intense fire on the Jews from long-range artillery and various weapons. The armored vehicles penetrated the enemy ranks, spreading terror and panic among them, and forcing them to flee without looking back at their dead, whom they had left in the fortifications. In last night’s battle, which continued until this morning, the Jews suffered heavy losses in lives and equipment as a result of the counterattacks launched against them by the fighters. By this morning the Jews had not even been able to remove their dead, who numbered more than 150. The battle is still raging. Our forces have now seized Lydda Airport and the German Colony, and during the past days and last night they repelled several Jewish attacks in which the enemy lost some dead and prisoners. The Arabs withdrew from Sarafand camp last night without losses...”

(Hasan Salama)

From Ramle, 22 May 1948

“It is not expected that the Military Committee will pay us any of the expenses for the current month. The men stationed with us continue defending the cities and villages and standing guard among us. Their salaries must be paid and our expenses covered, which have greatly doubled because of the critical conditions. Our need for ammunition has also greatly increased. Is it possible to send ammunition to Lydda Airport? Let us know when the aircraft will depart to receive it...”