Jews and Arabs in " Battle for the Lifeline " - bitter fighting for the Tel Aviv highway . Photo shows ; Mahmoud Bey Mahdi , Syrian Commander of the Central Area , Arab Liberation Army , seen studying a map while inspectiong the progress being made during an attack against Bab El Wad , three miles from Latrun on the road to the New City of Jerusalem . Bitter fighting is now taking place in this area in what is known as the " Battle for the Lifeline " . 31 May 1948