1948 Battle for Jerusalem: Siege, Starvation, and the City's Division

In the spring of 1948, Jerusalem became the epicentre of a desperate struggle. As British forces withdrew, Arab and Jewish militias fought for control of the city's vital corridors. This episode delves into the siege that cut off Jerusalem's 100,000 Jewish residents from food, water, and medicine. We follow the heartbreaking Hadassah convoy ambush, the fierce battles for Latrun where Israeli forces failed to break the blockade, and the makeshift Burma Road that finally reopened the route. We meet key figures like Abdallah al-Tell, the Arab Legion commander who coordinated the siege, and Dov Yosef, the military governor scrambling to ration supplies. We also examine the role of the Jordanian Arab Legion, supplied by Britain, and the desperate sorties by the Haganah and Palmach. The fighting culminated in a divided city under Israeli and Jordanian control, a split that would last until 1967. This is a story of strategy, sacrifice, and the human cost of Jerusalem's unique geography. Through specific battles, supply convoys, and the political machinations in Amman and Tel Aviv, we piece together how this holy city was carved in two.

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