 Zviratidzo zvekutanga zvekuvandudzwa kukuru kwekudzivirirwa kweOttoman Army zvakaonekwa mushure mekutora El Arish uye Hondo yeMagdhaba, musi wa28 Zvita 1916 apo ndege dzekuongorora dzakawana mauto eOttoman achifambisa dzimbahwe ravo kumashure. Mazuva asati akundwa paRafa, musi wa 7 Ndira kuongorora kwepamhepo kwakashuma mauto eOttoman achiri kuEl Auja neEl Kossaima nevarwi paHafir El Auja vachiwedzerwa zvishoma. Asi pakati pa 14 na 19 January Beersheba yakarohwa mabhomba kanoverengeka neNo. 1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps mukurwiswa masikati nousiku; mukati mekumwe kwekurwiswa uku kwakadonhedza mabhomba gumi nemaviri e20 lb. zvakananga pane hangar huru yeGermany. Pashure pokurwisa uku vatyairi vendege veGermany vakabvisa Bherishebha ndokutamisira nhandare yavo yendege kuRamleh. Uye musi wa19 Ndira kuongorora kwemuchadenga kwakazivisa kuti mauto eOttoman akanga abvisa El Kossaima uye akanga ari musimba rakaderera pachiteshi chikuru murenje paEl Auja. 