Operation Dani

Operation Dani (also spelled Danny) was an Israeli military offensive during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, launched between July 9 and 19, 1948. Its objectives were to capture territories east of Tel Aviv and relieve Jewish forces and populations in Jerusalem. The operation primarily targeted the cities of Lydda and Ramle, which blocked Jewish transportation routes, and later aimed to take control of Latrun and break through to Ramallah.

The operation was led by Yigal Allon, with Yitzhak Rabin as his deputy, and involved around 6,000 soldiers from various brigades, including the Palmach. The campaign faced resistance from the Arab Legion and Palestinian irregulars.

On July 9, Israeli forces began attacking Ramle from the south and villages north of Lydda. The towns were captured by July 10, granting control over Lydda’s airport and Ramle’s railway station. However, during this phase, Israeli forces expelled approximately 50,000–70,000 Palestinians from Lydda and Ramle, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

The second phase, targeting Latrun, failed due to heavy casualties and the threat of a UN-imposed ceasefire. Overall, Operation Dani saw ninety-one Palmach members killed, including forty-four at Khirbet Kurikur on July 18 and seven during the capture of Lydda. The operation significantly impacted Palestinian communities in the region.