The 1967 Middle East War

The 1967 war between Israel and the Arab countries is also known as the Six-Day War. This war changed the borders of the Middle East and had a major impact on the Palestinians.

Egypt, Syria, and Jordan became involved in the war with Israel. Fearing attacks from Egypt and Syria, Israel launched a preemptive strike on Egypt’s air force, triggering the war.

During the war, Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt, most of the Golan Heights from Syria, and East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan.

As a result, nearly 1 million Palestinians living in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem came under Israeli control.

Israel’s occupation of these territories continues to this day. However, in 1979, Israel signed a peace treaty with Egypt and returned the Sinai Peninsula.

Despite this, Israel formally annexed East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, though most of the international community has not recognized these annexations.