The United Nations flag is lowered at King's Gate (Erez checkpoint
) on the Gaza
–Tel Aviv
road as a mark of UN Emergency Force
's (UNEF) withdrawal from all observation posts along the Armistice Demarcation Line and the International Frontier where they had been stationed since December 1956. Egypt
’s had suddenly requested the UNEF’s termination and immediate withdrawal on 18 May. UN Secretary-General U Thant
confirmed that this was Egypt’s right and gave the order, without consulting with Israel. The withdrawal became effective at 17:00 hrs 19 May.
