The Israelis seized Zion Gate and carried supplies to the beseiged Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem. But then the Jews left Zion Gate, and the feared Arab Legion finally arrived. The Jews did everything they could to withstand the onslaught of the Arab Legion's cannons.

The Jewish Quarter of the Old City was under siege and about to fall, so the Israelis attacked Jaffa Gate. After a fierce fight, the Jews withdrew and the Arabs begged for the Arab Legion to come.

After declaring independence, Israel was attacked by five Arab armies. Was it a miracle that the new state survived, or were the Arab armies just ineffective? In the first days of fighting, Arabs nearly captured the Jewish Quarer of the Old City, even without the help of the powerful Arab Legion.

Some Jewish leaders had second thoughts about declaring independence. They feared the attacks of the Arab nations, and the US promised to send help if the Jews held off declaring independence. On May 14, 1948, the British left Palestine, and the Jews went ahead and declared independence.