Three separate operations were executed in order to capture Latrun: Operation Ben Nun I, Operation Ben Nun II and Operation Yoram. None of these attempts resulted in the conquest of Latrun. But, the three battles had limited strategic success, since they contained the Arab Legion and allowed the opening of a bypass road, which lifted the siege of Jerusalem.
Ayalon Valley
During the War of Independence, Latrun, situated on the road to Jerusalem, dominated the entire Ayalon valley and guarded access to the Sha'ar Hagai pass, four kilometers to the east. Without that pass, the Jerusalem road could not be controlled, and Ben-Gurion insisted on saving Jerusalem by taking Latrun.