<P> The Israelis broke through with tank - led assaults . However, Aviram's forces misjudged the Egyptians' flank, and were pinned between strongholds before they were extracted after several hours . By nightfall, the Israelis had finished mopping up resistance . Israeli forces had taken significant losses, with Colonel Gonen later telling reporters that "we left many of our dead soldiers in Rafah, and many burnt - out tanks ." The Egyptians suffered some 2,000 casualties and lost 40 tanks . </P> <P> On 5 June, with the road open, Israeli forces continued advancing towards Arish . Already by late afternoon, elements of the 79th Armored Battalion had charged through the seven - mile long Jiradi defile, a narrow pass defended by well - emplaced troops of the Egyptian 112th Infantry Brigade . In fierce fighting, which saw the pass change hands several times, the Israelis charged through the position . The Egyptians suffered heavy casualties and tank losses, while Israeli losses stood at 66 dead, 93 wounded and 28 tanks . Emerging at the western end, Israeli forces advanced to the outskirts of Arish . As it reached the outskirts of Arish, Tal's division also consolidated its hold on Rafah and Khan Yunis . </P> <P> The following day, 6 June, the Israeli forces on the outskirts of Arish were reinforced by the 7th Brigade, which fought its way through the Jiradi pass . After receiving supplies via an airdrop, the Israelis entered the city and captured the airport at 7: 50 am . The Israelis entered the city at 8: 00 am . Company commander Yossi Peled recounted that "Al - Arish was totally quiet, desolate . Suddenly, the city turned into a madhouse . Shots came at us from every alley, every corner, every window and house ." An IDF record stated that "clearing the city was hard fighting . The Egyptians fired from the rooftops, from balconies and windows . They dropped grenades into our half - tracks and blocked the streets with trucks . Our men threw the grenades back and crushed the trucks with their tanks ." Gonen sent additional units to Arish, and the city was eventually taken . </P> <P> Brigadier - General Avraham Yoffe's assignment was to penetrate Sinai south of Tal's forces and north or Sharon's . Yoffe's attack allowed Tal to complete the capture of the Jiradi defile, Khan Yunis . All of them were taken after fierce fighting . Gonen subsequently dispatched a force of tanks, infantry and engineers under Colonel Yisrael Granit to continue down the Mediterranean coast towards the Suez Canal, while a second force led by Gonen himself turned south and captured Bir Lahfan and Jabal Libni . </P>

Which place did israel not occupy after its decisive victory in the six day war of 1967