Key Events in the Arab-Israeli Conflict

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the War of Independence by Israelis and the Nakba (Catastrophe) by Palestinians, was the first major conflict in the Arab-Israeli struggle. It resulted in the establishment of Israel and the displacement of a large number of Palestinians.

• British Withdrawal: The war began following the end of the British mandate and the withdrawal of British forces from Palestine.
• Declaration of Independence: On May 14, 1948, Israel declared its independence, prompting immediate invasion by neighboring Arab states.
• Displacement: Approximately 700,000 Palestinians were displaced during the war, many becoming refugees in neighboring countries.

The Six-Day War was a brief but pivotal conflict in which Israel fought against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. The war resulted in Israel’s capture of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights, significantly altering the political landscape of the region.

• Preemptive Strikes: Israel launched preemptive air strikes against Egypt on June 5, 1967, crippling the Egyptian air force.
• Territorial Gains: Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and the Golan Heights from Syria.
• Aftermath: The war led to a significant increase in the number of Palestinian refugees and intensified the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Gaza Strip has been a focal point of the Arab-Israeli conflict, particularly since the rise of Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist militant organization that took control of Gaza in 2007.

• Hamas’ Rise: Hamas emerged during the First Intifada and became a significant political and military force in the Palestinian territories.
• 2007 Split: In 2007, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip after a violent conflict with Fatah, leading to a split in Palestinian governance.
• Blockade and Conflicts: Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza, and the region has since seen multiple conflicts between Israel and Hamas.