Beginning on Oct. 15, when the Egyptians violated the truce period by firing on an Israeli supply convoy, Israel went on the offensive against them in the south to open the road to the Negev. 

In a coordinated effort between the IDF’s air, ground and sea forces, the IDF successfully divided the Egyptian army into several isolated forces.

The naval battle began on the morning of the 19th when three Israeli Navy ships, INS Haganah, INS Wedgewood and INS Noga, attacked an Egyptian vessel that was unloading reinforcement soldiers near Ashkelon.