Battle of Hill 86

Battle of Hill 86
Part of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War
Date December 22–23, 1948 Location Hill 86 31°22′29.64″N 34°22′9.84″E / 31.3749000°N 34.3694000°E / 31.3749000; 34.3694000 Result Egyptian tactical victory
Belligerents
Israel (IDF)	Egypt
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Muhammad Naguib
Units involved
Golani Brigade	Unknown
Strength
1 infantry battalion	Unknown
Casualties and losses
13 killed 35 wounded	Unknown

The Battle of Hill 86 was a military engagement between the Israel Defense Forces and the Egyptian Army as part of Operation Horev. It was fought on December 22–23, 1948, and was the first battle of the operation. The Israelis initiated the battle, as well as a concurrent raid on the Arab village of 'Abasan and aerial and naval shelling of the coastal strip, with the hope of deceiving the Egyptians into thinking that the coming operation would be aimed at isolating the Egyptian forces in Gaza.

The 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade captured the hill on the night of December 22–23, but weather conditions prevented reinforcements from coming forward with essential supplies. The Egyptians counterattacked in the morning; the Israelis retreated after suffering over 40 casualties.