A radio operator shook his head. "Still hours away, sir."
Youssef gritted his teeth. "Then we fight with what we have." He grabbed a rifle and took a position beside his men, firing at the advancing Israeli forces, his shots drowned out by the sound of tank cannons and machine guns.
Despite the relentless onslaught, the Egyptians held pockets of resistance, their training and equipment from India giving them a fighting chance.
They used guerrilla tactics, taking advantage of the terrain to strike and retreat, harassing the Israeli troops as best they could.
But for every Israeli soldier they held back, two more seemed to take their place.
In Cairo, Nasser was updated continuously on the situation. The news was alarming, Israel had breached multiple lines and was advancing deeper into the Sinai.
Yet he remained calm, his mind racing with possible countermeasures. He turned to his closest advisors.