The Egyptian Expeditionary Force, under the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief General Edmund Allenby, had won the decisive Third Battle of Gaza in early November. Allenby's forces followed up the retreating Turks and defeated them again the Battle of Mughar Ridge in the middle of November. His forces now moved on Jerusalem. Allenby's left flank was secured at Jaffa and his right flank was moving through the Hills of Judea. The German General Erich von Falkenhayn, commander of the Turkish forces in Palestine, had recently received reinforcements and was quickly planning to launch a counter offensive against Allenby. Both sides had been instructed to avoid fighting in or near the Holy City.