Separation of Forces Agreement

(January 18, 1974)

Efforts to conclude an agreement on separation of forces between Israel and Egypt that were made at kilometre 101 and later in Geneva failed. Secretary of State Dr. Kissinger arrived in the Middle East and was able to narrow the gap between the parties and bring about the conclusion of an agreement. Before the signing of the agreement, the Israel Government approved it and issued a statement. A day later, the agreement was signed at kilometre 101 by the Chiefs of Staff of the Israeli and Egyptian armies. Texts of the Cabinet statement and the agreement follow:

Israel Government Statement on Separation of Forces Agreement

Following the Cabinet session, which took place this afternoon, in which agreement on the separation of forces with Egypt was unanimously approved, the Government Secretary has issued the following announcement:

January 17, 1974
2100 hours Israel-Egypt time

In accordance with the decision of the Geneva Conference, the Governments of Israel and Egypt, with the assistance of the Government of the United States, have reached agreement on the disengagement and separation of their military forces.

The agreement is scheduled to be signed by the Chiefs of Staff of Israel and Egypt at 1200 local time, Friday January 18, at kilometre 101 on the Cairo-Suez road. The Commander of the United Nations Emergency Force, General Siflasvuo, has been asked by the parties to witness the signing.

A. Egypt and Israel will scrupulously observe the cease-fire on land, sea, and air called for by the UN Security Council and will refrain from the time of the signing of this document from all military or para-military actions against each other.

B. The military forces of Egypt and Israel will be separated in accordance with the following principles:

1. All Egyptian forces on the east side of the Canal will be deployed west of the line designated as Line A on the attached map. All Israeli forces, including those west of the Suez Canal and the Bitter Lakes, will be deployed east of the line designated as Line B on the attached map.

2. The area between the Egyptian and Israeli lines will be a zone of disengagement in which the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) will be stationed. The UNEF will continue to consist of units from countries that are not permanent members of the Security Council.

3. The area between the Egyptian line and the Suez Canal will be limited in armament and forces.

4. The area between the Israeli line (Line B on the attached map) and the line designated as Line C on the attached map, which runs along the western base of the mountains where the Gidi and Mitla Passes are located, will be limited in armament and forces.

5. The limitations referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 will be inspected by UNEF. Existing procedures of the UNEF, including the attaching of Egyptian and Israeli liaison officers to UNEF, will be continued.

6. Air forces of the two sides will be permitted to operate up to their respective lines without interference from the other side.

C. The detailed implementation of the disengagement of forces will be worked out by military representatives of Egypt and Israel, who will agree on the stages of this process. These representatives will meet no later than 48 hours after the signature of this agreement at Kilometre 101 under the aegis of the United Nations for this purpose. They will complete this task within five days. Disengagement will begin within 48 hours after the completion of the work of the military representatives and in no event later than seven days after the signature of this agreement. The process of disengagement will be completed not later than 40 days after it begins.

D. This agreement is not regarded by Egypt and Israel as a final peace agreement. It constitutes a first step toward a final, just and durable peace according to the provisions of Security Council Resolution 338 and within the framework of the Geneva Conference.

For Egypt
General Abdul Gani al Garnasy

For Israel
David Elazar, Lt. Gen., Chief of Staff of I.D.F.