452. Editorial Note
During the early evening of October 31, British and French forces began their bombardment of Egyptian airfields in the vicinity of the Suez Canal Zone. Passage through the Suez Canal was effectively blocked the following day when the Egyptian ship Akka sank in the Canal near Lake Timsah. At the same time the Egyptian Government broke diplomatic relations with the British and French Governments.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Forces continued to advance in the central portion of the Sinai Peninsula and on November 1 began their movement in northern Sinai toward Al Arish. That same day the Egyptian Government recalled most of its forces from the Sinai Peninsula to defend the Canal Zone. Telegraphic reports concerning military developments related to the Suez Canal crisis are in Department of State, Central Files 684A.86.