Egyptian Command Assesses Sinai Losses
Abdel Hakim Amer confronted the loss of Egyptian positions throughout Sinai while Egypt simultaneously resisted the Anglo-French assault in the canal zone.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1956 in Egypt — Page 5
Explore 236 historical events and records for Egypt in 1956.
Historical records for Egypt in 1956
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November
Egyptian Defenders Resist Allied Street Advance
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government continued to resist the invaders as fighting in and around Port Said caused damage and civilian suffering.
Egyptian Troops Fight in Urban Streets
Egyptian military and local defenders resisted invading troops in built up areas of Port Said during the assault.
Port Said Civilian Population Endures Bombardment
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government reported the human cost of fighting and damage suffered by civilians in the embattled city.
Port Said Street Fighting
Egyptian soldiers and local fighters resisted invading troops in streets and built up areas of Port Said during the Anglo French assault.
War Delays Egyptian Development Plans
The military conflict and canal closure compounded the financial uncertainty surrounding Egypt's High Dam plans after Western funding was withdrawn.
Egypt Discusses Sovereignty Safeguards for UNEF
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government insisted that the presence of United Nations soldiers must respect Egyptian sovereignty and the terms of consent.
Egypt Presses for Withdrawal After Fighting Stops
Gamal Abdel Nasser insisted that ending the fighting was insufficient without removing foreign forces occupying Egyptian territory.
Egyptian Ceasefire Compliance Declared
Egypt accepted the cessation of hostilities following international intervention while continuing to demand withdrawal of foreign forces from its territory.
United Nations Force Mandate Negotiated
The United Nations approved guiding principles for UNEF while Egypt discussed how the force could supervise a ceasefire without infringing sovereignty.
United Nations Headquarters Opens in Cairo
UNEF began operating from a temporary headquarters in Cairo on 12 November to coordinate ceasefire supervision and preparations for deployment.
Egypt Conditions Salvage Cooperation on Sovereignty
Egyptian officials expected international efforts to remove obstructions to respect the country's ownership and administration of the waterway.
Egypt Permits First UNEF Contingents to Enter
Egyptian consent allowed advance elements of the United Nations Emergency Force to reach Egyptian territory after the ceasefire.
United Nations Troops Enter Egypt
The first UNEF advance elements reached the Abu Suweir area on 15 November, beginning the physical deployment of United Nations peacekeepers in Egypt.
Hammarskjold Talks Held in Cairo
Nasser discussed the status and operation of UNEF with United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold during meetings in Cairo in mid November.
Egypt and UN Agree Peacekeeping Operating Basis
The Egyptian government and United Nations officials clarified the principles governing the emergency force's activities on Egyptian soil.
Peacekeeping Good Faith Accord Reached
Egypt and the United Nations agreed on principles governing UNEF’s presence and cooperation with Egyptian authorities, preserving the requirement of Egyptian consent.
United Nations Enters Port Said
The first United Nations units entered Port Said on 21 November, beginning a gradual replacement of invading forces in parts of the city.
British French Withdrawal Schedule Disputed
The General Assembly renewed its demand for rapid withdrawal on 24 November while British and French troops still held positions in Egypt.
Egypt Demands Accelerated Port Said Evacuation
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government pressed for an end to all British and French military presence in the city.
United Nations Crosses Canal Eastward
UNEF personnel crossed to the east bank of the Suez Canal on 30 November as peacekeeping operations expanded beyond the western side.
Arab Solidarity During Suez War
Nasser’s government appealed to Arab solidarity as Egypt faced attacks by Britain, France and Israel, making the conflict a major regional political issue.
Canal Closure During Hostilities
Egyptian authorities obstructed the Suez Canal during the invasion, leaving it closed to through shipping while the military crisis continued.
Ceasefire Incidents Monitored
United Nations peacekeepers investigated and reported incidents along the Port Said ceasefire lines in cooperation with Egyptian officials.
Eastern Canal Defence Strengthened
Egyptian commanders concentrated on defending approaches to the canal as their troops withdrew from positions farther east in Sinai.
Egyptian Command Faces Air Superiority
British and French strikes against Egypt’s air force compounded the difficulties of Egyptian ground formations confronting Israeli advances in Sinai.
Egyptian Forces Retreat Toward Canal
After Israeli breakthroughs in Sinai, Egyptian formations retreated westward toward the canal, leaving large parts of the peninsula under Israeli occupation.
Egyptian Ground Forces Face Combined Intervention
Egyptian military leaders faced the simultaneous consequences of the Israeli advance and Anglo French attacks on Egypt’s ports and airfields.
Egyptian Neutrality Policy Reaffirmed
Egypt continued to defend an independent foreign policy during the Suez conflict rather than accepting control of its strategic decisions by colonial powers.
Foreign Troop Withdrawal Demanded
Nasser insisted that a ceasefire alone was insufficient and called for the complete departure of British, French and Israeli forces.
Gaza Garrison Cut Off
Israeli advances placed Egyptian troops defending Gaza under mounting pressure and disrupted their connections with forces farther west.
Northern Sinai Withdrawal Routes Threatened
Fast Israeli advances threatened routes linking Egyptian positions in northern Sinai with the canal, increasing the danger of isolation for retreating units.
Peacekeepers Assigned Ceasefire Observation
United Nations troops monitored the ceasefire around Port Said and the canal, reporting violations and seeking to reduce further clashes.
Peacekeeping Deployment Consent Negotiated
Egypt negotiated with United Nations officials over the entry of an emergency force, with Egyptian consent central to the proposed deployment.
Port Said Civil Authority Cooperation
Egyptian officials cooperated with UNEF personnel on public order and protection of property during the transition from foreign military occupation.
Port Said Defence Becomes Central Priority
After the Anglo French landings, Egyptian defence efforts concentrated on Port Said and the canal approaches rather than holding territory across all of Sinai.
Postwar Canal Clearance Requirements Identified
The canal administration identified the need to remove obstructing vessels and restore navigation infrastructure before regular international shipping could resume.
Rafah Sector Fighting
Israeli and Egyptian forces fought in the Rafah area as the invasion of northern Sinai extended toward the Gaza Strip.
Ships Sunk to Block Navigation
Egyptian forces scuttled vessels in the waterway as a denial measure to prevent invading forces and shipping from using the canal during the fighting.
Sinai Southern Route Contested
Israeli units advanced toward the southern Sinai approaches while Egyptian troops tried to defend dispersed positions and vital roads.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.