Operation Cast Thy Bread: Poisoning of Palestinian Wells
In April 1948, during the Arab–Israeli War following the end of the British Mandate for Palestine, personnel associated with the Haganah and later the Israel Defense Forces carried out an operation known as “Cast Thy Bread.” According to historical research and archival documentation, this operation involved the deliberate **poisoning of drinking water wells** in Palestinian towns with typhoid bacteria. The poisoning took place in areas including Acre and Galilee villages to discourage Palestinian residents from returning to abandoned villages and to complicate the movement of opposing forces.
British, Arab, and Red Cross documents describe that wells in Acre and Ilabun were **poisoned**, leading to widespread illness among local populations in those areas. The operation was reportedly overseen by senior military and political figures at the time, including then‑Prime Minister David Ben‑Gurion and Haganah commanders. Archival evidence also indicates that attempts were made to poison wells in Gaza and other regions, though some plans were not fully executed.
Historians have characterized the operation as an early use of **biological warfare** during the conflict. The intent cited in documents was to prevent displaced Palestinian populations from returning to their homes and to impede opposing military advances. The operation remains a subject of historical study and debate among scholars focused on the 1948 war and its effects on civilian populations.
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