Six-Day War

Background

The Six-Day War, also known as the June War, 1967 Arab–Israeli War, or Third Arab–Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt (known at the time as the United Arab Republic), Jordan, and Syria.

Causes

The origins of the Six-Day War, which was fought between Israel and its Arab neighbors, are deeply rooted in the conflict between Israel and the Arab countries that began with the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. The war was the third conflict between Israel and Arab states in less than 20 years.

Arab Nationalism

The rise of Arab nationalism and the desire to eliminate Israel was one of the causes of the Six-Day War. The Arab states, led by Egypt and its president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, had refused to recognize Israel and called for its destruction. Nasser was seen as the champion of Arab nationalism, and his call for a united Arab front against Israel resonated with many Arabs.

Blockade of the Straits of Tiran

In May 1967, Nasser escalated tensions by blocking the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, cutting off Israel's access to the Red Sea. This was considered by Israel as a casus belli, a justification for war.

Course of the War

The war began on June 5, 1967, with a pre-emptive Israeli air strike that destroyed more than 90% of Egypt's air force on the ground. Israel then launched a ground offensive into the Gaza Strip and the Sinai, defeating the Egyptian army.

Battle of Jerusalem

On June 5, Jordan began shelling Israel. Two days later, Israeli forces moved against Jordan in the Battle of Jerusalem. By June 7, Israeli forces had captured the entire city of Jerusalem.

War on the Northern Front

On June 9, Israel turned its attention to the northern front and launched an attack on Syria. By the end of the day, Israeli forces had captured the Golan Heights.

Aftermath

The Six-Day War ended with a ceasefire on June 10, 1967. The war resulted in significant territorial gains for Israel, which captured the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria.

Impact on Israel

The war had a profound impact on Israel. The victory enabled Israel to establish itself as a dominant regional military power. The territorial gains significantly increased the size of the state of Israel and gave it strategic depth.

Impact on Arab States

The defeat of the Arab states led to a sense of humiliation and a deepening of Arab animosity towards Israel. The war also led to significant changes in the Arab world, including the rise of Palestinian nationalism.

Legacy

The Six-Day War has a significant legacy that continues to shape the Middle East today. The war and its aftermath led to the continuation of the Arab-Israeli conflict and set the stage for future conflicts, including the 1973 Yom Kippur War.