On May 13, 1948, a day before the state of Israel was proclaimed, the Haganah launched Operation Shfifon (, lit. Operation Cerastes Cerastes) with the aim of capturing the British outposts in the Old City of Jerusalem and preventing the Arab forces from taking control of them first. Such an eventuality had long been anticipated, and plans prepared called Operation Shfifon ('horned viper'; some translate it as 'Serpent') and quickly followed by Operation Kilshon. See also List of battles and operations in the 1948 Palestine war 1947–48 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine Depopulated Palestinian locations in Israel References External links Etzel (Irgun) history Bevingrad surrounded by barbed wire on the left Shfifon May 1948 events in Asia 1940s in Jerusalem 1948 in Israel