History
The Six-Day War: A Conflict That Reshaped the Mideast
An overview of the June 1967 conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors, which dramatically altered the region's geography and politics.
What is it?
The Six-Day War was a brief but pivotal conflict fought from June 5 to June 10, 1967, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states, primarily Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Amid escalating tensions and military mobilization by its neighbors, Israel launched a series of preemptive air strikes that destroyed the majority of the Egyptian air force on the ground. This surprise attack ensured Israeli air supremacy and paved the way for a swift and decisive ground offensive. In just six days, Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria.
Why is it trending?
The Six-Day War remains a critical point of reference for understanding the modern Middle East. Its outcome fundamentally redrew the region's map and is at the heart of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The war marked the beginning of Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territories with large Palestinian populations. This created a new phase of the conflict, leading to hundreds of thousands of new refugees and placing over a million Palestinians under Israeli rule. The status of these territories, along with East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, continues to be a major point of international contention and negotiation.
How does it affect people?
The war's impact on the region's population was profound and continues to reverberate today. For Israelis, the victory brought a sense of euphoria and security, but also the challenges of governing large, occupied territories. For Arabs, the defeat was a significant blow. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and Syrians were displaced, becoming refugees in neighboring countries. The occupation of the West Bank and Gaza has subjected millions of Palestinians to Israeli military control, impacting every aspect of their daily lives. The conflict also energized Palestinian nationalism and has been a source of subsequent wars and uprisings.