During the winter of 1917/1918 , the considerable territorial gains by the EEF as a consequence of victories at the Battle of Mughar Ridge in November and the Battle of Jerusalem in December , from the Gaza–Beersheba line to the Jaffa–Jerusalem line , were consolidated Cause_change_of_strength .

The front line was adjusted Change in February 1918 when the right flank of the Jaffa–Jerusalem line was secured Preventing_or_letting by the capture of land to the east of Jerusalem and down into the Jordan Valley to Jericho and the Dead Sea .