The first days of the war see Israel launch an aerial offensive aimed at neutralizing the air forces of Egypt, Jordan and Syria. After the initial pre-emptive strike against Egypt on the morning of June 5, Syrian planes conduct air raids over portions of the Galilee and attempt to bomb the Haifa oil refinery. These attacks are repelled by the Israeli Air Force, which destroys more than 50 Syrian planes, two-thirds of the country’s air force.

Despite having their air losses, Syrian troops stationed on the Golan Heights begin shelling Rosh Pina and other Israeli communities in the north of the country June 6. Two Syrian divisions advance toward Kibbutz Dan before being repulsed by Israeli air and ground forces. Israel stops the Syrian forces despite having most of its forces in Sinai and on the Jordanian front during the first three days of the war.

By the end of the day June 7, most Egyptian forces are retreating toward the Suez Canal, and Israel has captured the Old City of Jerusalem and large portions of the West Bank. Syrian shelling continues throughout June 7 and 8. After Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser refuses a U.N. cease-fire late in the day June 7, the Security Council convenes for a special session on the afternoon of June 8. The Security Council hears that U.N. observers in Tiberias “reported on the morning of June 8 that very heavy continuous air and ground fire was taking place in the general area of the Israel-Syrian central demilitarized zone.” Addressing the Security Council, Abba Eban, Israel’s foreign minister, says, “I refer especially to the government of Syria, which has not indicated its attitude on the cease-fire resolution. On the Syrian-Israel frontier the fighting has indeed, according to my reports, become intensified in recent hours.”