World: TOWARD OPEN WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Fight and fear not; the gates of Paradise are under the shade of the swords.

—Mohammed

THAT deadly shade spread farther across the hostile Middle East last week. Israel, concerned about the Arabs' increasing confidence and belligerency in recent weeks, abandoned any pretense of attacking only in reprisal and launched a limited offensive against its Arab foes. Egypt's official spokesman said: "We consider ourselves at war," and as much as admitted the reserves were being partially mobilized. The week also brought intensified artillery duels along the Syrian and Egyptian frontiers, spectacular aerial dogfights,...