Israel-Palestine War ::Timeline: 2023
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| From the Jewish point of view |
Timeline of the most recent escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
December 03, 2023
Doctors Without Borders says Israel responsible for fatal convoy attack
December 02, 2023
Israeli army strikes over 400 Hamas targets in Gaza over past 24 hours
December 02, 2023
Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says fatalities surpassed 15,200, 70% of them women and children
Coverage Analysis
43% of the sources are Center
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December 01, 2023
Israel Releases 30 Palestinian Prisoners In Latest Exchange
November 30, 2023
IDF kills two senior terror operatives in Jenin during West Bank raid
November 28, 2023
Israel and Hamas extend their truce, but it seems only a matter of time before the war resumes
November 28, 2023
Eleven Hamas hostages released to Red Cross
November 27, 2023
Israel, Hamas agree to extend truce for two days
November 27, 2023
Suspect in shooting of 3 Palestinian college students in Vermont pleads not guilty
November 27, 2023
Elon Musk begins wartime visit to Israel
November 27, 2023
Suspect arrested in shooting of 3 students of Palestinian descent in Vermont, police say
November 27, 2023
Three Palestinian students shot and wounded in Vermont, police say
November 26, 2023
Hamas armed wing says it hands 13 Israeli hostages, 7 foreign nationals to Red Cross
November 22, 2023
Hostage families welcome first, precarious hopes after Israel-Hamas deal
November 22, 2023
Inside the secret White House effort to secure the Hamas hostage release
November 22, 2023
Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu says war against Hamas will not stop after cease-fire
November 21, 2023
Cyprus' president says his country is ready to ship aid to Gaza once a go-ahead is given
November 21, 2023
Second senator calls for cease-fire in Gaza
November 21, 2023
Israeli airstrike on south Lebanon kills 2 journalists of a pan-Arab TV station, official says
November 21, 2023
Gaza strikes kill family members of journalist targeted by death threats
November 21, 2023
Israel reveals signs of Hamas activity at Shifa, but a promised command center remains elusive
November 19, 2023
Biden official claims Hamas hostage deal 'closer than we have been at any point'
November 19, 2023
Israeli Army Suspends Soldier Seen Throwing Stun Grenade at West Bank Mosque
November 16, 2023
US public support for Israel drops; majority backs a ceasefire, Reuters/Ipsos shows
November 16, 2023
UN Security Council calls for pauses in Gaza fighting for aid
November 15, 2023
Demonstrators in Washington back Israel, denounce antisemitism
November 14, 2023
China, Iran, Arab nations condemn Israeli minister's statement about dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza
November 14, 2023
Video purports to show Israeli-Russian researcher kidnapped in Iraq
November 12, 2023
Gaza war: First batch of evacuees reach Egypt after Rafah crossing reopens
November 10, 2023
Gaza Hospital Says Received 50 Bodies After Strikes On School
November 10, 2023
Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says Palestinian death toll has passed 11,000
November 09, 2023
French President Macron opens Gaza aid conference with appeal to Israel to protect civilians
November 09, 2023
Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt closed due to security -US State Dept
November 08, 2023
Americans divided over Israel’s response to Hamas attack: Survey
November 07, 2023
Israel’s War Against Hamas Has Killed More U.N. Workers Than Any Other Conflict
November 07, 2023
About two thirds of Gaza jobs lost amid Israeli bombardment, ILO says
November 07, 2023
Israel open to 'little pauses' as it bombards Gaza
November 06, 2023
Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says war death toll surpasses 10,000
November 05, 2023
Protesters outside Israeli PM Netanyahu's house as anger grows
November 05, 2023
Israeli rescuers release aftermath video of Hamas attack on music festival, adding chilling details
November 05, 2023
'I want my legs back': Palestinian girl cries in agony after losing legs
November 04, 2023
Israel deports thousands of Palestinian workers back to Gaza's war zone
November 03, 2023
US calls for 'temporary, localized' pauses in Israel-Hamas war
November 03, 2023
House approves nearly $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel. Biden vows to veto the GOP approach
November 02, 2023
Gaza Health Ministry says more than 9,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war
November 02, 2023
Diplomatic efforts to pause fighting gain steam as Israeli ground troops push toward Gaza City
November 02, 2023
Cyprus proposes to establish a sea corridor to deliver a stream of vital humanitarian aid to Gaza
November 01, 2023
Israeli airstrikes crush apartments in Gaza refugee camp, as ground troops battle Hamas militants
November 01, 2023
First foreigners begin leaving Gaza for Egypt through Rafah crossing
November 01, 2023
Palestinian American family mourns 42 relatives killed in a single day in Gaza
November 01, 2023
Senate confirms Jack Lew as Israel ambassador
October 31, 2023
Israel strikes dense Gaza camp, says it kills Hamas commander
October 31, 2023
NGO: More children killed in Gaza 3-week war than in global conflicts annually
October 30, 2023
Putin Calls Meeting After Mob Storms Airport іn Dagestan Looking for Israelis оn Plane From Tel Aviv
October 30, 2023
'It's about reversing the country's decline,' Florida Gov Ron DeSantis defends Palestinian student group ban
October 30, 2023
Heavy clashes as Israeli tanks reach Gaza City outskirts, cut key road
October 30, 2023
Israel expands ground assault into Gaza as fears rise over airstrikes near crowded hospitals
October 30, 2023
Israeli settler kills Palestinian man harvesting olives as violence surges in the West Bank
October 30, 2023
Impeding relief aid to Gaza may be a crime under ICC jurisdiction, prosecutor says
October 28, 2023
Israeli defense minister says the Gaza war has entered a new stage with an expanded ground operation
October 26, 2023
Al Jazeera Gaza correspondent loses 4 family members in an Israeli airstrike
October 26, 2023
Biden condemns retaliatory attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank
October 25, 2023
2,000 children killed in Gaza, aid group says, as tempers flare at UN amid ceasefire calls
October 25, 2023
Gaza hospital strike: NY Times investigation casts doubt on Israel's account
October 24, 2023
Gaza strikes: Hamas-run health ministry says 700 killed in 24 hours
October 23, 2023
Channel 4 Questions Israel's Proof on Gaza Hospital Blast
October 21, 2023
Attacks by settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank have risen during Gaza conflict
October 21, 2023
AP visual analysis: Rocket from Gaza appeared to go astray, likely caused deadly hospital explosion
October 20, 2023
U.S. intel says Gaza hospital death toll likely between 100-300
October 20, 2023
President Biden Delivers Address on Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine Wars
October 20, 2023
Hamas spokesman reportedly among scores arrested in occupied West Bank
October 17, 2023
At least 500 people killed in hospital bombing in Gaza, Palestinian officials claim
October 17, 2023
Moment airstrike hits Palestinian rescue workers evacuating people in northern Gaza – video
October 16, 2023
Rishi Sunak says six Britons killed and 10 missing after Hamas attack on Israel
October 16, 2023
Garland opens hate crimes investigation into stabbing death of Muslim boy in Illinois
October 16, 2023
Israeli military says 199 hostages being held in Gaza, higher than previous estimates
October 16, 2023
One million Gazans displaced as Israel readies for ground attack
October 16, 2023
Illinois man stabbed 6-year-old Muslim boy 26 times in hate crime motivated by Israel-Hamas war: police
October 16, 2023
Pete Davidson reflects on Israel-Hamas conflict in SNL cold open
October 15, 2023
Gaza health ministry says 2,329 Palestinians killed since start of war, making it deadliest Gaza war for Palestinians
October 15, 2023
Israeli military announces it is prepared for “coordinated” air, ground and naval offensive in Gaza Strip.
October 14, 2023
Palestinians are struggling to flee south in Gaza after Israel gives an evacuation order
October 14, 2023
Blinken calls for protection of civilians as Israel prepares for expected assault on Gaza
October 14, 2023
Iran's foreign minister warns Israel from Beirut it could suffer 'a huge earthquake'
October 14, 2023
Colleges, professors face backlash amid Israel-Hamas controversies on campuses
October 14, 2023
Thousands flee north Gaza as Israel warns of military onslaught
October 14, 2023
Leaked Emails Warn US Diplomats Against Calling For Israeli ‘De-Escalation’ In Gaza
October 13, 2023
Hamas says 70 people, mostly women and children, killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza’s fleeing convoys
October 13, 2023
Israeli military says forces have carried out small raids inside Gaza Strip
October 13, 2023
Israel-Hamas war: Rabbi quits over FA decision to not light up Wembley arch in Israeli colours
October 13, 2023
Schumer to visit Israel after cutting Asia trip short
October 13, 2023
Biden will meet with families of Americans held hostage in Gaza
October 13, 2023
Air Canada halts flights to Israel until end of October
October 13, 2023
As Israel battles Hamas, all eyes are on Hezbollah, the wild card on its northern border
October 13, 2023
Canada's foreign affairs minister arrives in Israel amid war with Hamas
October 13, 2023
IDF fighter jets struck 750 Hamas military targets overnight in the northern Gaza Strip
October 13, 2023
Tens of thousands protest after Muslim prayers across Mideast over Israeli airstrikes on Gaza
October 13, 2023
‘We reject the forced displacement’ in Gaza: Abbas tells Blinken in Jordan
October 13, 2023
Canadian doctor trapped in Gaza volunteers at hospital, urges entry of medical aid
October 13, 2023
US law enforcement steps up security ahead of expected Mideast protests
October 13, 2023
Canadian universities face challenges navigating Israel-Hamas war
October 13, 2023
Hamas urges Palestinians to stay in homes after Israel orders Gaza evacuation
October 13, 2023
Under heavy bombing, Palestinians in Gaza move from place to place, only to discover nowhere is safe
October 13, 2023
Hamas practiced in plain sight, posting video of mock attack weeks before border breach
October 13, 2023
Israel's military orders civilians to evacuate Gaza City, ahead of a feared ground offensive
October 13, 2023
Hollywood stars release open letter condemning Hamas amid Israeli conflict
October 13, 2023
Canada providing $10M in humanitarian aid to address 'urgent needs' in Israel and Gaza: Trudeau
October 13, 2023
Fresno police launching hate crime investigation after windows broken at Jewish temple, bakery
October 12, 2023
447 children and 248 women among 1,417 killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza
October 12, 2023
Wembley Stadium arch not set to be lit in colours of Israeli flag
October 12, 2023
Musk’s X has taken down hundreds of Hamas-linked accounts, CEO says
October 12, 2023
What we actually know about the viral report of beheaded babies in Israel
October 12, 2023
Iran calls on Islamic, Arab countries to confront Israel
October 12, 2023
Eleven workers with UN refugee agency, five IFRC members killed in Gaza
October 12, 2023
Source of dubious ‘beheaded babies’ claim is Israeli settler leader who incited riots to ‘wipe out’ Palestinian village - The Grayzone
October 12, 2023
Three Palestinian journalists killed in Israel Gaza strike: media union
October 12, 2023
Sanders calls Israel's siege on Gaza 'a serious violation of international law'
October 11, 2023
US Intelligence Shows Hamas Attack On Israel Surprised Iran: Report
October 11, 2023
IDF says it won't back up its claim that Hamas decapitated babies in Israel because it is 'disrespectful for the dead'
October 11, 2023
At least 8 journalists killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza: Press office
October 11, 2023
Netanyahu and Gantz agree to form emergency Israel government - statement
October 11, 2023
UN: at least 338,000 people in Gaza are displaced
October 11, 2023
Two Canadians killed by Hamas in Israel remembered as proud and loving
October 11, 2023
Israel strikes neighborhood after neighborhood in Gaza as war appears set to escalate
October 11, 2023
Palestinians scramble for safety as Israel pounds sealed-off Gaza Strip to punish Hamas
October 11, 2023
'An act of sheer evil': Biden pledges support for Israel, American Jews in speech
October 10, 2023
Vancouver man killed in Hamas attack on music festival in Israel
October 10, 2023
Israeli military official says death toll from Hamas attack rises above 1,000
October 10, 2023
Aid groups scramble to help as Israel-Hamas war intensifies and Gaza blockade complicates efforts
October 10, 2023
Israel pounds downtown Gaza City, vowing punishing retaliation for weekend attack
October 10, 2023
Total siege of Gaza 'prohibited' under international law: UN
October 10, 2023
X, formerly Twitter, amplifies disinformation amid the Israel-Hamas conflict
October 10, 2023
Pentagon: US ‘surging’ air defense, munitions to Israel
October 10, 2023
US, France, Germany, Italy, UK Will Help Israel 'Defend Itself': Joint Statement
October 10, 2023
European Union reverses earlier announcement that it was suspending development aid to Palestinians
October 10, 2023
Tuberville won’t lift military holds despite Israel-Hamas war
October 10, 2023
Civilian hostages in Hamas custody killed in Be’eri near Gaza border, CNN verified videos show
October 09, 2023
Gaza mosque reduced to rubble after Israeli airstrike
October 09, 2023
Gaza refugee camp flattened in Israeli strike
October 09, 2023
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi backs Hamas attack, calls it Palestinians' right to self-defence
October 09, 2023
Israeli defense minister orders 'complete siege' on Gaza Strip with no electricity, food or fuel
October 09, 2023
Israel declares 'full control of communities' attacked near Gaza
October 09, 2023
Israel intensifies Gaza strikes and battles to repel Hamas, with over 1,100 dead in fighting so far
October 09, 2023
Israel says 260 dead at music festival attacked by Hamas
October 08, 2023
Emergency Teams Survey Rubble in Gaza From Israeli Airstrikes
October 08, 2023
Israel battles Hamas for a second day after mass incursion and trades fire with Lebanon’s Hezbollah
October 08, 2023
Hezbollah bombards Israeli positions in disputed area along border with Syria's Golan Heights
October 08, 2023
Major Airlines Cancel Dozens of Flights to and From Tel Aviv
October 07, 2023
Canadian politicians condemn attack on Israel
October 07, 2023
Netanyahu tells Israel ‘We are at war’ after Hamas launches an unprecedented attack on the country
Coverage Analysis
41% of the sources are Center
Tap on a source to read more
MOSTLY RIGHT-LEANING COVERAGE
December 02, 2023
"Total Destruction" Of Hamas Would Mean "War Will Last 10 Years": Macron
December 02, 2023
Israel recalls negotiators after reaching ‘dead end’ in Qatar talks
December 02, 2023
UN says Israel will not renew visa for top aid official
December 02, 2023
Israel informs Arab states it wants buffer zone in post-war Gaza: Sources
December 02, 2023
Hamas, Islamic Jihad Rockets Shake Tel Aviv, Other Israeli Cities; IDF Strikes Kill Over 100 In Gaza
November 30, 2023
Israel summons Spanish envoy, recalls own ambassador after Madrid criticizes Gaza war
November 30, 2023
2 Israeli Hostages Handed To Red Cross In Gaza, Says Israel Army
November 29, 2023
Hamas says 10-month-old hostage killed along with his brother and mother
November 29, 2023
Percent of college students witnessing antisemitism spikes since start of academic year: poll
November 28, 2023
Biden offers apology to Muslim-American leaders for questioning Hamas death toll: report
November 27, 2023
US pro-Palestinian demonstrators block Manhattan Bridge
November 27, 2023
Israel says Elon Musk agrees not to activate Starlink over Gaza without approval
November 27, 2023
Irregular meals, benches as beds. As hostages return to Israel, details of captivity begin to emerge
November 27, 2023
Syria says an Israeli airstrike hit the Damascus airport and put it out of service
November 27, 2023
Israeli PM Netanyahu visits Gaza for first time since war began, tells Israeli troops 'nothing will stop us'
November 25, 2023
Red Cross receiving new group of Israeli hostages from Hamas – Al Qahera TV
November 24, 2023
Elon Musk expected to visit Israel next week - report
November 22, 2023
Israel-Hamas ceasefire to start on Thursday morning
November 22, 2023
South African Parliament's Vote to Cut Ties with Israel Criticized
November 22, 2023
Elon Musk says X Corp. will donate ad and subscription revenue tied to Gaza war
November 22, 2023
Netanyahu convenes government ahead of possible hostage release
November 21, 2023
Putin, Xi and UN Secretary-General Guterres to attend virtual meeting on Israel-Hamas war
November 21, 2023
Israel recalls ambassador ahead of South African parliamentary vote to shut down Israeli embassy
November 21, 2023
NBC cuts ties with Palestinian journalist arrested in Israel for 'inciting terrorism' on social media
November 16, 2023
Israel-Hamas war: IDF 'shows proof' Hamas used al-Shifa hospital as base - but is the footage accurate?
November 15, 2023
First fuel delivery since start of war delivered to UN in Gaza
November 15, 2023
Turkey's Erdogan calls Israel 'terror state', slams West
November 15, 2023
Israeli military says weapons found in Al Shifa hospital, Hamas denies it
November 15, 2023
Nearly 60% of Muslim Americans polled say Hamas is 'somewhat justified' in Israel attack
November 15, 2023
Qatar seeking Israel-Hamas deal to free 50 hostages and 3-day truce, sources say
November 15, 2023
Israeli troops enter Al Shifa hospital in Hamas raid
November 15, 2023
Senate blocks House bill to help Israel, cut IRS
November 15, 2023
Israeli military says its forces have entered Gaza hospital in a ‘precise and targeted operation’
November 15, 2023
IDF offers incubators for Gaza newborns, aid to Al-Shifa Hospital
November 15, 2023
Biden administration staff sign open letter demanding cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war
November 15, 2023
White House says it has evidence Hamas using Al-Shifa hospital to run military actions
November 15, 2023
Biden says he believes Israeli hostage release from Hamas will happen
November 14, 2023
Is Hamas hiding in Gaza's main hospital? Israel's claim is now a focal point in a dayslong stalemate
November 14, 2023
Journalists in south Lebanon say targeted in Israeli strikes
November 11, 2023
Macron calls on Israel to stop killing Gaza's women and babies
November 11, 2023
Columbia Bans Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace Over Campus Safety Concerns
November 10, 2023
Blinken denounces civilian toll in Gaza, says ‘far too many Palestinians have been killed’
November 08, 2023
G7 urges ‘humanitarian pauses’ in Israel-Gaza war, refrains from ceasefire call
November 08, 2023
Israel targets Hamas tunnels in new phase of Gaza war
November 08, 2023
US warns Israel against reoccupying Gaza after war
November 07, 2023
Israel Defence Forces Say Hamas Hides Rockets In Playgrounds, Swimming Pools
November 07, 2023
Iranian President Raisi to attend Gaza summit in Saudi Arabia
November 06, 2023
Israel says it exposed Hamas network beneath and next to Gaza's hospitals
November 06, 2023
Barack Obama argues 'all of us are complicit' in Israel-Hamas conflict, urges acknowledgement of whole truth
November 06, 2023
Pro-Palestinian crowds try to storm air base housing U.S. troops in Turkey
November 05, 2023
Netanyahu suspends Israeli minister for saying dropping nuclear bomb on Gaza 'one of the possibilities'
November 05, 2023
Tens of thousands of people march across DC in largest pro-Palestine protest in US history
November 04, 2023
Honduras recalls ambassador to Israel as it condemns civilian Palestinian toll in war
November 03, 2023
‘Hamas is holding fuel reserves in Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital’: Israel claims, tweets call recording
November 03, 2023
Israel cuts Gaza funds from Palestinian tax transfer
November 03, 2023
Hamas is hoarding vast amounts of fuel as Gaza hospitals run low, U.S. officials say
November 03, 2023
Russia’s Wagner Group May Provide Air Defense Weapon to Hezbollah, U.S. Intel Says
November 03, 2023
Israeli troops advance past Gaza City outskirts, PM Netanyahu says
November 02, 2023
Gaza's only hospital for cancer patients closed, Palestinian health officials say
November 02, 2023
First British nationals cross into Egypt from Gaza
November 02, 2023
Iran's Khamenei calls upon Muslim countries to boycott Israel
November 01, 2023
Israel deploys missile boats in Red Sea as Houthis attack from Yemen
November 01, 2023
Open hatred of Jews surges globally, inflamed by Gaza war
November 01, 2023
Biden would veto House GOP’s Israel aid package, White House says
November 01, 2023
Hamas says it will release some foreign hostages in coming days
November 01, 2023
Cornell student charged with making threats to Jewish students on campus, feds say
November 01, 2023
Yale Paper Backtracks Editing Out Line Saying Hamas Raped Women, Beheaded Men
November 01, 2023
US to send 300 additional troops to Middle East- Pentagon
November 01, 2023
Arab-American Support for Biden Drops 42% Since 2020, Falling Amid Israel Conflict - Poll
November 01, 2023
EU's Borrell Condemns West Bank Attacks By Israeli Settlers
November 01, 2023
Yale Student Paper Deletes ‘Unsubstantiated’ Claims of Hamas Rape, Beheadings
October 31, 2023
US House Republicans unveil bill to fund Israel by cutting IRS budget
October 31, 2023
Saudi defense minister to visit White House: Report
October 30, 2023
Israeli soldier freed in Gaza during ground operation, Israeli army says
October 30, 2023
Germany ‘Must Be Prepared for War’ in Europe, Defense Minister Says
October 30, 2023
German-Israeli Shani Louk, seen paraded by terrorists in Gaza, confirmed dead
October 30, 2023
Authorities investigating online threats against Jewish students at Cornell, school’s president says
October 30, 2023
Harris: US has ‘absolutely no intention’ of sending troops to Israel or Gaza
October 30, 2023
60 arrested after mob storms Russian airport looking for Israelis
October 29, 2023
IDF soldiers raise Israeli flag in northern Gaza
October 29, 2023
US: End game in Gaza ‘ultimately’ up to Israel
October 29, 2023
Saudi condemns ‘unjustified’ Gaza ground operations
October 28, 2023
NYC protesters demand Israeli cease-fire, at least 200 detained after filling Grand Central station
October 27, 2023
Israeli military says expanding Gaza ground operations, internet cut off
October 27, 2023
Fearing airstrikes and crowded shelters, Palestinians in north Gaza defy Israeli evacuation orders
October 27, 2023
Israeli military says Hamas hiding tunnels, operations centres in Gaza hospital
October 27, 2023
Israeli forces kill four Palestinians in West Bank clashes, WAFA agency says
October 27, 2023
IDF assassinates Hamas commander, hits over 250 targets in Gaza
October 27, 2023
WHO urges Hamas to release all hostages on 'health grounds'
October 26, 2023
Qatar sentences 8 Indians to death, reportedly on charges of spying for Israel
October 26, 2023
Jewish students locked in library during pro-Palestinian rally at Cooper Union
October 26, 2023
Netanyahu says Israel is preparing ground invasion of Gaza
October 26, 2023
Biden warns Iran not to attack American troops as Israel-Hamas war continues
October 25, 2023
Israel accuses UN chief of justifying terrorism for saying Hamas attack 'didn't happen in a vacuum'
October 25, 2023
US antisemitic incidents up about 400% since Israel-Hamas war began, report says
October 25, 2023
US troops in Middle East attacked 13 times in last week: Pentagon
October 25, 2023
US Will Respond 'Decisively' To Any Attack, Top Biden Official Warns Iran
October 24, 2023
White House says Iran 'actively facilitating' some attacks on US military bases
October 23, 2023
Israeli strikes on Gaza result in over 5,000 fatalities — Health Ministry
October 21, 2023
Biden says he thinks aid trucks will get through to Gaza within 2 days
October 20, 2023
Israeli air strike targets Hezbollah cell near Lebanon border -military
October 20, 2023
'Majority' of hostages in Gaza are alive: Israel army
October 20, 2023
Israeli Airstrike Hits Orthodox Church in Gaza
October 19, 2023
Biden announces $100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and West Bank
October 18, 2023
Protests Erupt At US Embassy In Lebanon Amid Israel-Hamas War
October 18, 2023
Israel denies involvement in Gaza hospital blast, says explosion caused by Palestinian rocket
October 18, 2023
Protesters clash with Palestinian police in West Bank
October 18, 2023
Palestinians' Abbas cancels planned Biden meeting after Gaza hospital strike
October 17, 2023
Blinken, Netanyahu Forced To Flee To Bomb Shelter In Tel Aviv
October 17, 2023
U.S. Picks 2000 Troops to Prepare for Potential Deployment to Middle East
October 17, 2023
Israel evacuates communities near Lebanon border amid fears of escalation
October 16, 2023
EU to launch a humanitarian air bridge to bring aid to Gaza
October 16, 2023
IDF shares 'raw footage' of Hamas terrorists invading, killing Israeli civilians
October 16, 2023
Jerusalem Catholic Patriarch offers to be exchanged for Gaza hostages
October 16, 2023
U.S. can ‘certainly’ afford military support to both Israel and Ukraine, Janet Yellen says
October 16, 2023
Opening of Knesset winter session interrupted by rocket sirens
October 16, 2023
Iran claims Hamas willing to release hostages if Israel ends airstrikes on Gaza
October 16, 2023
Horrifying new footage shows Hamas savages slaughtering Israeli women soldiers during their massacre rampage
October 16, 2023
Most in new poll want US to help Gaza civilians get out of harm’s way
October 16, 2023
Lebanon border fire stokes fears of regional spillover from Israel-Hamas war
October 16, 2023
Israel-Palestine Conflict: ‘Release hostages…’, UN chief Guterres' two humanitarian appeals to Hamas
October 16, 2023
US names special envoy for Middle Eastern humanitarian efforts, with eye on Gaza
October 16, 2023
Americans Strongly Support Israel
October 16, 2023
Israel resumes water supply to southern Gaza, energy minister confirms
October 15, 2023
Sullivan says no Americans have been able to leave Gaza
October 15, 2023
Top US envoy will return to Israel after stops in Arab nations aimed at avoiding a broader conflict
October 15, 2023
China says Israel acting 'beyond scope of self-defence'
October 15, 2023
US to send 2nd aircraft carrier to eastern Mediterranean
October 15, 2023
US news network MSNBC takes 2 Muslim journalists off anchoring duties amid war in Israel
October 15, 2023
Israel: No Negotiations over Hostages; We Are Eliminating Hamas
October 15, 2023
Iran warns Israel it will intervene if Gaza operation continues, report claims
October 15, 2023
Truck Circles Harvard Campus Revealing Names Of Students Who Signed Pro-Palestine Letter
October 14, 2023
Hamas releases footage of Israeli children held hostage during attack on Israel
October 14, 2023
Hezbollah says it attacked five Israeli outposts in disputed Shebaa Farms area
October 14, 2023
Louvre Museum and Versailles Palace evacuated after bomb threats with France on alert
October 14, 2023
Israel war: Associated Press Gaza reporter suspended over inflammatory social media posts about Israel
October 14, 2023
France is deploying 7,000 troops after a deadly school stabbing by a suspected Islamic radical
October 14, 2023
Israel releases video showing 'Hamas gunmen' firing at toilets at music festival
October 14, 2023
Israeli army says killed two Hamas commanders who led attack
October 14, 2023
Saudi Arabia puts Israel deal on hold amid war, engages with Iran: Report
October 14, 2023
Planned Parenthood's only Gaza Clinic destroyed in Israeli airstrike
October 14, 2023
Israel strikes Hezbollah target in Lebanon over aerial objects -military
October 14, 2023
Stanford teacher suspended for allegedly separating out Jewish students in class as ‘colonizers’
October 13, 2023
JPMorgan CEO: ‘This may be the most dangerous time the world has seen in decades’
October 13, 2023
France school killing was terror attack, says Macron
October 13, 2023
Antisemitic Incidents in UK ‘Increase by 300%’ Following Hamas Attack Against Israel
October 13, 2023
Blinken meets Jordanian King, Palestinian President Abbas in Amman
October 13, 2023
Comparing Hamas and Hezbollah, the twin threat to Israel
October 13, 2023
Israeli embassy worker stabbed in China by foreign national, authorities say
October 13, 2023
Women tear down posters of children kidnapped by Hamas and shout 'This is for Palestine'
October 13, 2023
Teacher killed and two seriously injured in knife attack at school in France
October 13, 2023
Jewish reporter resigns from BBC over refusal to call Hamas 'terrorists'
October 13, 2023
UNRWA moves its Gaza operations centre, international staff south
October 13, 2023
DeSantis issues order for rescue operations of Floridians in Israel
October 13, 2023
Israeli student beaten with stick outside Columbia University library: police
October 13, 2023
Lufthansa extends flight stop to Israel until Oct 22
October 13, 2023
Pro-Palestinian group marches in Chicago's Loop
October 13, 2023
France orders ban on all pro-Palestinian protests
October 12, 2023
UK to deploy Royal Navy ships to support Israel
October 12, 2023
U.S., Qatar agree to stop Iran from tapping $6 billion fund after Hamas attack
October 12, 2023
Israel releases photos of babies ‘murdered, burned by Hamas’
October 12, 2023
US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea as North's leader Kim exchanges messages with Putin
October 12, 2023
First Canadian evacuation flight leaves Israel with 130 passengers on board
October 12, 2023
NYPD preparing for pro-Palestinian demonstrations Friday
October 12, 2023
Israel preparing for ground operations ‘if decided’: IDF
October 12, 2023
Israeli official says government cannot confirm babies were beheaded in Hamas attack
October 12, 2023
Gaza hospitals risk turning into morgues, Red Cross says
October 12, 2023
White House walks back Biden’s claim he saw children beheaded by Hamas
October 12, 2023
Iran’s president, Saudi crown prince speak for first time since diplomatic ties restored
October 12, 2023
'From the river to the sea' prompts Vienna to ban pro-Palestinian protest
October 12, 2023
Reporter who broke story of Hamas beheading babies appears on 'Clay & Buck,' crushes people claiming it's a hoax
October 12, 2023
Hamas claims to have freed Israeli woman, two children
October 12, 2023
Biden says he’s seen ‘confirmed pictures of terrorists beheading children’ in Israel
October 12, 2023
Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza situation
October 12, 2023
US considering sending second naval aircraft carrier to Israel
October 12, 2023
Israel's most wanted man: Who is Mohammed Deif, the military commander behind Hamas' attack
October 11, 2023
Israeli Air Strike Kills One of Hamas’ Founders: Report
October 11, 2023
Fury as Black Lives Matter group posts image of paratrooper and says it ‘stands with Palestine’
October 11, 2023
Turkey ready for any kind of mediation: Turkish President Erdogan on Israel-Hamas conflict
October 11, 2023
Michigan rally sees hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters condemn Israel
October 11, 2023
Pope urges Hamas to free hostages, says Israel has right to self-defence
October 11, 2023
Israel bombs south Lebanon after Hezbollah rocket fire
October 11, 2023
Hamas denies it killed children in fight with Israel
October 11, 2023
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have killed at least 140 children, ministry claims
October 11, 2023
Israel not acting ‘like a state’ in Gaza: Erdogan
October 11, 2023
Media Among Victims in Israel-Hamas Conflict
October 11, 2023
Two members from Hamas political office killed in air strike, official says
October 11, 2023
Man scales Sheffield Town Hall to tear down Israeli flag
October 11, 2023
Israel strikes HAMAS naval facilities in Gaza — IDF press service
October 11, 2023
US Strike Group arrives in Eastern Mediterranean as ‘strong signal of deterrence’
October 11, 2023
First US shipment of advanced weaponry arrives in Israel
October 11, 2023
Pro-Palestinian letter from Harvard students provokes alumni outrage
October 11, 2023
Hamas Militants Behind Israel Attack Raised Millions in Crypto
October 11, 2023
CBC leaked emails tell reporters to not use 'terrorist' in Hamas coverage: 'This is opinion, not fact'
October 11, 2023
Israel eases gun laws to arm 'as many citizens as possible' after terrorist attack
October 11, 2023
Palestinians say Israeli forces are targeting Gaza ambulances
October 11, 2023
Israel fires back after Syrian shells land in Israeli territory -military
October 10, 2023
Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah trade fire in third day of violence
October 10, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Israel-Gaza conflict 'an example' of US failure in Middle East
October 10, 2023
Hamas murders grandmother, uses her phone to share horror scene to Facebook
October 10, 2023
Israel retakes Gaza border areas as war's toll mounts
October 10, 2023
Anti-Israel Protestors Shout ‘Gas the Jews’ Outside Sydney Opera House
October 10, 2023
Israel says '40 babies murdered' in burnt out kibbutz attacked by Hamas
October 10, 2023
France and Spain oppose suspending aid to Palestinian territories
October 10, 2023
UN says nearly 200,000 displaced in Gaza, water shortages expected
October 10, 2023
White House considers adding Ukraine to Israel aid package
October 10, 2023
UN says displaced in Gaza tops 187,500 as territory is sealed off
October 10, 2023
Delta Cuts Flights to Tel Aviv Through the End of October
October 10, 2023
Lindsey Graham Calls On US To Blow Up Iran’s Oil Refineries If Hostages Are Harmed
October 10, 2023
Qatar Negotiating Hostage-Prisoner Swap Between Israel, Hamas: Report
October 10, 2023
Hamas official says group is open to discussions over truce with Israel
October 10, 2023
Health Ministry in Gaza says more than 680 people in the territory killed in Israeli strikes
October 10, 2023
Israel calls up for 300,000 army reservists as its war with Hamas rages on
October 10, 2023
Netanyahu calls on Israel's opposition to form national emergency government
October 10, 2023
Five Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes southern Lebanon
October 10, 2023
Israel war: More than 100 dead recovered in Israeli farming community from Hamas attack
October 10, 2023
Hamas military spokesman says it will kill a civilian hostage any time Israel targets Gaza civilians without warning
October 09, 2023
Egypt Reportedly Warned Israel of Possible Attack
October 09, 2023
Netanyahu tells Biden 'we have to go in' to Gaza following Hamas attacks: report
October 09, 2023
Blinken Deletes Post Calling For ‘Cease-Fire’ Between Hamas And Israel
October 09, 2023
Israeli, Palestinian supporters rally across US
October 09, 2023
Mexico deploys planes to Israel to return nationals
October 09, 2023
Iran denies it had role in Hamas attack on Israel, claims accusation is ‘political’
October 09, 2023
Joe Biden faces fury over Iran deal as Israel attacked
October 09, 2023
Austria Suspends Aid to Palestinians, Germany Reviews Support
October 09, 2023
Over 123,000 people displaced in the Gaza Strip
October 09, 2023
'Where was everybody?' Israel has been caught unawares by Hamas and faces a perilous challenge
October 09, 2023
'Terrorists are in my bedroom': The haunting messages helpless relatives received after Hamas abductions
October 09, 2023
German tattoo artist ID’d as woman paraded through streets by Hamas
October 09, 2023
Disrupting Saudi-Israel ties may have motivated Hamas attack, Blinken says
October 09, 2023
Several Americans among those killed in Hamas attack on Israel
October 08, 2023
Harrowing moment Israeli student begs ‘Don’t kill me’ as she’s snatched from a music festival by Hamas terrorists
October 08, 2023
Hamas says it has enough Israeli captives to free all Palestinian prisoners
October 08, 2023
A policeman in Egypt killed 2 Israelis and 1 Egyptian at a tourist site in Alexandria
October 08, 2023
Benjamin Netanyahu warns people to leave Gaza as he vows to reduce parts of the territory 'into rubble'
October 08, 2023
Blinken urges Palestinian President Abbas to restore calm, stability in West Bank
Source https://ground.news/timeline/israel-palestine-war
From the Jewish point of view
Conversations on social media, news media coverage, events on college campuses, and general public discourse related to the Israel-Hamas war demonstrate a dire need for accurate information about Israel, Zionism, and the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. As the war continues to evolve, staying well-informed about the historical context and ongoing developments is crucial for fostering more understanding and informed opinions.
The timeline below aims to address frequently asked questions about Israel's history and to help dispel misinformation about the events leading up to this point.
Here is a timeline summarising key events in both Israel’s history within the broader context of the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
1897-1947 | 1947-1979 | 1982-Present
1897-1947: Pre-State Israel
1897-1947: Pre-State Israel
1897: First Zionist Congress
The Zionist movement, founded by Theodor Herzl and other leaders, advocated for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Widespread antisemitism and persecution of Jewish communities in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries served as a major catalyst for the Zionist movement. Jews faced discrimination, violence, and pogroms, a violent organized riot or attack directed at Jews, in many parts of Europe, which fueled the desire for a safe and secure homeland. The First Zionist Congress was held in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland, where Herzl and other prominent figures in the Zionist movement discussed and debated their vision for the establishment of a Jewish state.
Why It Matters: The Zionist movement under Theodor Herzl was historically significant because it marked the birth of modern political Zionism. Herzl advocated for a Jewish homeland, organized the First Zionist Congress, and played a central role in shaping the intellectual and political foundations of the movement. His vision influenced Jewish identity and led to diplomatic efforts that eventually contributed to the establishment of the State of Israel. Herzl's legacy as a visionary and advocate for Jewish self-determination remains a fundamental part of Israel's history and ideology.
1917: The Balfour Declaration
The Balfour Declaration was a letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Walter Rothschild, expressing British support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.
Why It Matters: It was the first recognition by a major international power of Jewish national aspirations, which had a profound impact on international diplomacy, contributed to the end of Ottoman rule in the region, and shaped the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by laying the groundwork for competing national claims in Palestine. It remains a pivotal historical document in the context of the region's complex history and ongoing discussions about its future.
1920: The League of Nations Mandate
The League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I.
Why It Matters: The mandate includes a commitment to implementing the Balfour Declaration and facilitating Jewish immigration and settlement in Palestine. The mandate led to nearly 30 years of British control over the region, ending in 1948.
1920: Creation of the Haganah
The Haganah was a Jewish paramilitary organization that played a significant role in the defense of Jewish communities in British Mandate Palestine.
Why It Matters: Initially formed to protect Jewish communities from local Arab attacks, the Haganah later evolved into one of the main military organizations in the Jewish community in the lead-up to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. After the establishment of the state, the Haganah became the foundation for the Israel Defense Forces.
1929: Hebron Massacre
The 1929 Hebron massacre was a violent event in the city of Hebron in British Mandate Palestine, occurring in August 1929. Arab residents attacked the Jewish community, resulting in the deaths of approximately 67 Jewish residents, including women and children, and injuries to many others.
Why It Matters: The violence had its roots in long-standing tensions between Jewish and Arab communities and had a profound impact on the relations between the two communities in Palestine. The massacre led to the end of Jewish presence in Hebron, one of the holiest cities in Judaism that dated back thousands of years. The Jewish community did not return till after the 1967 Six-Day War.
1930s: The Arab Revolt
The 1930s Arab revolt was a period of intense Arab resistance and rebellion against British colonial rule and Jewish immigration in the Mandate of Palestine. It occurred from 1936 to 1939 and was triggered by several factors, including Arab frustrations over land dispossession, Jewish immigration, and economic disparities.
Why It Matters: The revolt involved widespread strikes, demonstrations, and acts of civil disobedience by Arab residents in the region. In response, the British authorities imposed curfews, conducted military operations, and arrested numerous Palestinian activists.
1936: Peel Commission
This was a British investigative commission formed to examine the causes of the 1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine.
Why It Matters: It resulted in the first recommendation to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, offering one of the first official proposals for a two-state solution.
1939: White Paper
A British policy statement that limited Jewish immigration and land acquisition in Palestine.
Why It Matters: This had a significant impact by restricting the ability of Jews to escape the Holocaust and return to their ancestral homeland to establish a Jewish state. It also contributed to tensions between Jewish and Arab communities in Palestine, furthering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
1947-1979: Arab-Israeli Wars and Peace Attempts
1947-1979: Arab-Israeli Wars and Peace Attempts
1947: UN Resolution 181
This resolution recommended the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under international administration. Jewish leaders accept the plan, while Arab states and Palestinians reject it.
Why It Matters: This resolution led to the establishment of Israel but was met with rejection by Arab states, sparking the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-1949.
1948: Israel’s War of Independence
Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948. The declaration was followed by an invasion by neighboring Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. The war resulted in Israel's survival and expansion of territory.
Why It Matters: The war led to the establishment of the State of Israel as it successfully defended itself from the invasion of the surrounding Arab countries. Upon its declaration, Israel gained international recognition from various countries, including the United States and the Soviet Union - the world’s two major superpowers at the time. This lent it international support and legitimacy. It also marked the beginning of the Arab-Israeli conflict and resulted in the displacement of an estimated 700,000-800,000 Palestinian Arabs to many surrounding Arab countries. Many Palestinian Arabs also remained within Israel’s newly formed borders, comprising over 20 percent of Israel’s population today. The war defined the borders of Israel and had far-reaching consequences for regional politics, diplomacy, and future conflicts in the Middle East. It remains a pivotal event in the history of the region.
1956: Suez Crisis (Sinai War)
Israel, along with Britain and France, invaded Egypt in response to Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal. International pressure, including from the United States and the Soviet Union, forced the withdrawal of the invading forces.
Why It Matters: The war had far-reaching implications for global diplomacy, including the decline of traditional colonial powers - the UK and France. For the Middle East, it boosted Egyptian nationalism under President Gamal Nasser, who increased tensions with Israel, eventually leading to the 1967 Six-Day War.
1964: Creation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded in 1964 during an Arab League Summit in Cairo, Egypt, to represent Palestinian aspirations for the destruction of Israel, self-determination, and a state. Initially led by Ahmed Shukeiri, the PLO later embraced armed struggle, terrorism, and later diplomacy as a means to achieve its goals. Yasser Arafat became a prominent leader and became the face of the PLO and the Palestinian movement until his death in 2004. Mahmoud Abbas succeeded him.
Why It Matters: The beginning of the PLO signaled the creation and formalization of the Palestinian national movement. For decades, the PLO was dedicated to terrorism against Israelis. In a historic move, in 1988 the PLO accepted the notion of two states for two peoples which eventually helped pave the way for the 1993 Oslo peace process.
1967: Six-Day War
The Six-Day War, which lasted from June 5 to June 10, 1967, was a brief but intense conflict in the Middle East. It was primarily between Israel and a coalition of Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. It resulted in an overwhelming victory for Israel, the capture of large swathes of territory from the surrounding Arab states creating an important defensive buffer for Israel, and the reunification of Jerusalem, which came under Jewish sovereignty for the first time in nearly 2,000 years.
Why It Matters: The war was a watershed moment for the region. Israel’s overwhelming victory vaulted it from a scrappy nation focused on its survival, to a major regional power. It also led to a significant deepening of relations with the United States. Additionally, it resulted in Israel's capture of key territories, including East Jerusalem and the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula. This had profound implications, including the establishment of Israeli settlements, the rise of Palestinian nationalism, heightened Arab rejection of Israel, and complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.
1972: Munich Olympics Massacre
The first major Palestinian terrorist attack on Israel was carried out by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September, a faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). During this attack, 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team competing in the 1972 Munich Olympics in Germany were taken hostage and eventually killed by the terrorists.
Why It Matters: While there were earlier instances of Palestinian terrorism and attacks against Israel, the Munich Olympics attack gained significant international attention and was a turning point in the history of terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It demonstrated the ability of Palestinian terrorist groups to carry out large-scale, high-profile attacks on Israeli targets outside of the Middle East. Additional major attacks throughout the 1970s and 80s included the 1974 Ma'alot school attack, the 1978 Coastal Road massacre, and the 1985 Achille Lauro hijacking, among others.
1973: Yom Kippur War (October War)
Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. The conflict resulted in a ceasefire, and Israel eventually withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula as part of the 1979 Camp David Accords.
Why It Matters: The 1973 Yom Kippur War was significant because it began with a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria on Israel, challenging Israeli military dominance and reasserting Arab pride. The conflict led to superpower involvement, with the U.S. supporting Israel and the Soviet Union supporting Arab states. It ended in a ceasefire, triggering diplomatic efforts, oil embargoes, and changes in Israeli strategy and leadership. The war had a long-term impact on regional security and contributed to the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict and peace negotiations, such as the 1979 Camp David Accords.
1979: Camp David Accords - Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel
Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty, leading to Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula.
Why It Matters: Egypt became the first Arab country to recognize Israel formally. The peace realigned Egypt’s position in the Middle East and established it as an important U.S. ally in the region - significantly undercutting Soviet influence in the region. The Accords also marked the end of a series of major Arab-Israeli Wars, which began in 1948.
1982-Present: Peace Process and Terrorism
1982-Present: Peace Process and Terrorism
1982: First Lebanon War
The First Lebanon War, also known as the 1982 Lebanon War, was a military conflict in 1982 between Israel and various Lebanese factions, mainly the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Israel's main objective was to remove PLO forces from southern Lebanon, which had been launching attacks against Israel.
Why It Matters: The conflict evolved into a protracted and controversial involvement in Lebanon by Israel and the rise of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist group. Israel eventually withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000.
1987: First Intifada
The First Intifada was a period of widespread Palestinian protests, civil disobedience, and acts of violence and terrorism against Israelis that began in December 1987 and continued into the early 1990s. The intifada was sparked by a combination of factors, including frustrations with the Israeli control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, economic hardships, and a lack of political progress toward a Palestinian state.
Why It Matters: The First Intifada had a significant impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leading to international attention, changes in the political landscape, and the eventual start of peace negotiations, notably the Madrid Peace Process and the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s. The First Intifada also led to the creation of Hamas.
1991: Madrid Peace Conference
The conference was a pivotal diplomatic effort co-sponsored by the United States and the Soviet Union to address the Arab-Israeli conflict. It brought together representatives from Israel, Arab states, and the Palestinians to engage in both bilateral negotiations and multilateral discussions on regional issues.
Why It Matters: The Madrid conference marked the first time they participated in peace talks with Israel, and it set the stage for subsequent peace efforts, including the Oslo Accords and the 1994 peace treaty between Israel and Jordan.
1993: Oslo Accords
The Oslo Accords were a pair of transitional agreements signed by Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) that were designed to establish a partnership for negotiating border disputes, creating Palestinian self-governance through the creation of the Palestinian Authority, and over time, the hope was this would lead to a peaceful solution to the conflict and a two-state solution.
Why It Matters: While the talks resulted in two agreements (Oslo I in 1993, and Oslo II in 1995) the accords began to unravel amid increasing terror attacks and the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a Jewish extremist. This left the region in a continued state of hostility and distrust. After the breakdown in talks between Israelis and the PLO at Camp David in 2000, the Palestinians launched the Second Intifada.
1994: Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty
The Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty, signed in 1994, is an agreement between Jordan and Israel that recognizes each other's sovereignty, establishes their international boundary, and promotes security and economic cooperation.
Why It Matters: The agreement saw Jordan become the second Arab country after Egypt to normalize relations with Israel. While there remains limited engagement between the peoples of both countries, the agreement has led to significant regional ties between Israel and Jordan, especially in economic, resource, and security cooperation.
1995: Assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin
On November 4, 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a longtime major political figure in Israeli politics and head of the left-wing Labor Party, was assassinated by an Israeli extremist, Yigal Amir, at a peace rally in Tel Aviv.
Why It Matters: Rabin's death was a significant loss to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and it cast a long shadow over the process, raising questions about security and extremism within Israeli society. The assassination had lasting impacts on Israeli politics and society and remains a significant chapter in Israeli history, symbolizing the challenges of pursuing peace in the Middle East.
2000-2005: Second Intifada (Al-Aqsa Intifada)
The Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, was a period of intense conflict and Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule that began in late September 2000 and continued for several years. The intifada was characterized by widespread protests, demonstrations, suicide bombings, and armed confrontations between Israeli security forces and Palestinian terrorists.
Why It Matters: The Second Intifada resulted in a high number of casualties on both sides, with close to 1,000 Israelis killed or injured by Palestinian terror attacks, including suicide bombings and bus bombings. It had a significant impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leading to the construction of the West Bank barrier by Israel and influencing subsequent peace negotiations. It officially ended around 2005, but its consequences continue to shape the region's political landscape.
2005: Israel Withdraws from the Gaza Strip
In 2005, Israel, overcoming huge political pushback domestically and the terror onslaught during the Second Intifada, withdrew from the Gaza Strip, dismantling its settlements and military installations in the name of peace.
Why It Matters: After Israeli withdrawal in 2005, the coastal territory has been under the control of the Iran-backed Hamas terrorist group, which violently ousted the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority in 2007.
2006: Second Lebanon War
Conflict erupts between Israel and the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon following an ambush on Israeli soldiers along the border that killed three soldiers as well as led to two being taken hostage. The 50-day war ended with a ceasefire and a UN peacekeeping force deployed in southern Lebanon.
Why It Matters: The conflict had several significant impacts, including revealing Hezbollah’s potent military capabilities, questions over Israel’s military planning and leadership, and significant humanitarian impacts on Lebanon. It also had wide regional impacts, particularly with Iranian and Syrian support for Hezbollah. It resulted in the adoption of UN Resolution 1701, which called for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the deployment of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. It also called for the disarming of Hezbollah, which has failed to happen. While no major conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah have occurred since tensions along the border are very high following the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.
2007: Hamas Takes Control of Gaza
In June, Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., U.K., EU, and others, took control of the Gaza Strip following violent clashes with its rival Palestinian faction, Fatah.
Why It Matters: This led to the division of the Palestinian territories, with Fatah controlling the West Bank and Hamas becoming the defacto ruler in Gaza. Hamas has used Iranian support to launch several significant attacks against Israel from its base in Gaza, including in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2021, and most recently on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists murdered over 1,400 Israelis, wounded over 3,200, taken over 200 hostages, and launched thousands of rockets.
2007: Annapolis Conference
In 2007, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, with the support of the U.S., launched the Annapolis Conference. The goal was to reach a peace agreement that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Hamas called for all parties to boycott the conference.
Why It Matters: Olmert said that he gave Abbas an “unprecedented offer” based on a return to the pre-1967 borders, including land swaps and a division of Jerusalem. But Olmert never received a final response from the Palestinians on the offer. A Palestinian negotiator subsequently acknowledged in the media that the Israeli plan would have given his side the equivalent of 100 percent of the disputed lands under discussion.
2008-2009: Operation Cast Lead (Gaza War)
From December 27, 2008 to January 18, 2009, Israel launched a military operation in response to rocket attacks from Gaza. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes, artillery shelling, and a ground invasion in response to the rocket attacks.
Why It Matters: This was the first major conflict between Israelis and Palestinians since the end of the Second Intifada in 2005. This also saw Israeli forces re-enter the Gaza Strip for the first time since its withdrawal in 2005 due to the terror threat posed by Hamas. The conflict resulted in significant casualties and destruction in Gaza, as well as international condemnation.
2009-2010: Settlement Freeze
U.S. President Barack Obama attempted to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks shortly after taking office in 2009. At a speech at Cairo University that year, Obama reiterated his support for a two-state solution.
Why It Matters: As part of a good faith gesture, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implemented a settlement freeze, a key Palestinian demand, that lasted 10 months. While talks briefly restarted, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas aborted the talks.
2012: Operation Pillar of Defense
From November 14 to November 21, 2012, Israel launched an operation to target terrorists and rocket launchers in Gaza, in response to increased rocket attacks from Gaza into nearby Israeli communities.
Why It Matters: The operation resulted in a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt and other international mediators, which ended the hostilities. While a ceasefire was brokered, this conflict reaffirmed the threat that Hamas posed to Israel, especially after the much larger 2009 conflict. In particular, Hamas’ firing of rockets into Israeli civilian areas led to more investment in Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system as well as bomb shelters and a civilian alert system in Israel. It also renewed international criticism of Israeli policies, including questions over disproportionate force by human rights groups.
2014: Operation Protective Edge
In June 2014, three Israeli teenagers - Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaer, and Eyal Yifrah - were abducted and killed by Hamas terrorists while hitchhiking in the West Bank. Their murder by Hamas led to a widespread Israeli crackdown on Hamas terrorists in the West Bank as well as increasing tensions and rocket fire on Israel. This eventually escalated into Operation Protective Edge, which lasted from July 8 to August 26, 2014.
Why It Matters: The operation aimed to uncover and neutralize a network of tunnels that extended from Gaza into Israeli territory as well as end Hamas rocket fire. These tunnels were viewed as a significant security risk, potentially allowing terrorists to infiltrate and carry out attacks in Israel. Hamas also has held the bodies of two Israeli soldiers - Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul - leading to significant tension between Israel and Hamas. It was also the last time Israeli ground forces entered the Gaza Strip until the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack.
2020: Peace to Prosperity Plan
U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled the “Peace to Prosperity” plan in January 2020. The plan presented a vision for a two-state solution but with certain parameters, including Israeli sovereignty over some settlements in the West Bank and land swaps. The plan also included an economic component, which was unveiled in June 2019 at a conference in Bahrain, that promised $50 billion in new investment for Palestinians.
Why It Matters: The plan was largely rejected by the international community, although serious attention was given to the new opportunities for regional cooperation and investment built into the proposal. The Palestinians did not participate in the drafting of the plan and outright rejected it when it was released. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had boycotted the Trump administration following its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017.
2020: Abraham Accords
The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, are a series of historic agreements that led to the normalization of diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between Israel and Arab countries, including the UAE and Bahrain, and later the Joint Declaration with Morocco. Take our Abraham Accords quiz.
Why It Matters: The Accords marked a departure from decades of Arab-Israeli conflict, opened up economic opportunities, fostered regional stability, and represented a symbol of changing dynamics in the Middle East. They also served as a model for potential future agreements between Israel and other Arab and Muslim-majority countries.
2021: May Conflict in Gaza
An 11-day war erupted between Israel and Hamas. Hamas terrorists used tensions in Jerusalem, specifically over the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the eviction dispute in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, as a pretext to launch rockets at Israeli civilian areas and ignite hostilities. It resulted in intense rocket fire from Gaza and Israeli airstrikes. A ceasefire was brokered by Egypt and other mediators on May 21, 2021, ending the hostilities.
Why It Matters: Prior to October 7, 2023, this was the most recent direct conflict between Israel and Hamas until October 2023. The conflict also led to a major spike in antisemitism globally targeting Jewish communities in the United States and Europe.
2022: August Operation in Gaza
This three-day conflict resulted in over 1,000 rockets being fired at Israel by the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group and the targeted killing of PIJ commander Tayseer al-Jabari.
Why It Matters: While the operation quickly ended in a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, it was significant in that Hamas, the de facto ruler of Gaza, did not take part in the hostilities. The conflict was a setback for the Iranian-backed terror group, but tensions between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad continued into 2023 in both Gaza and the West Bank.
2023: Operation Shield and Arrow
Israel launched Operation Shield and Arrow to end the threat against Israel posed by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists after they fired over 100 rockets into Israel.
Why It Matters: The violence stemming from Gaza was also linked to increasing terrorism in the West Bank, specifically from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Backed by Iran, these Palestinian terror groups have sought to export their operations to the West Bank, specifically in Jenin, in order to carry out additional terror attacks against Israel. As such, Israeli security forces had been conducting near-daily counterterrorism operations in the West Bank to quell the violence.
2023: October 7 Hamas Massacre
Hamas, the Iran-backed terror group controlling Gaza, launched an unprovoked and vicious surprise attack on over 20 Israeli communities. Using rockets, paragliders, boats, motorcycles, and other vehicles, and whatever other means they could, terrorists infiltrated Israel with one goal—to murder and kidnap Israelis. Over 1,210 Israelis have been killed, thousands of rockets have been fired on Israel, and 167 hostages are being held by Hamas.
Why It Matters: This was the largest terrorist attack in Israeli history and the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. In order to protect itself, Israel is working to eliminate the threat that Hamas poses through an air, sea, and ground campaign against the terror group’s operations.
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