In just six days, between June 5 and June 10, 1967, the Middle East was transformed. The brief yet decisive Six-Day War ended with a resounding Israeli victory, but the consequences have reverberated for decades — from the rise of militant resistance to the expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied territories.
This pivotal conflict didn’t just redraw borders. It redefined the conflict, introduced the term “occupation” into global discourse, and shifted international dynamics around the Israel-Palestine issue.
The Lead-Up: Growing Tensions and Military Posturing
The roots of the war lay in escalating tension between Israel and its Arab neighbors:
- Egypt and Syria backed Palestinian guerrilla operations against Israel, heightening regional tension.
- In May 1967, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser escalated the crisis by expelling UN peacekeepers from the Sinai Peninsula and blocking Israeli access to the Straits of Tiran — a move Israel interpreted as a declaration of war.
- Arab armies began to mobilize along Israel’s borders.
Fearing encirclement, Israel launched a preemptive strike, destroying much of Egypt’s air force on the ground.
The Six Days That Shook the Region
Within six days, Israel delivered a decisive blow to the combined forces of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, reshaping the geopolitical map of the region:
- It took control of the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt.
- It captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan.
- Took the Golan Heights from Syria.
The Impact:
- Israel more than tripled its size.
- For the first time, Israel came to occupy territories with millions of Palestinians.
- East Jerusalem, including the Old City and holy sites, was annexed.
The war ended with an Israeli military occupation that remains largely unresolved to this day.
The Beginning of the Occupation
After the war, Israel became the military occupier of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, territories that Palestinians considered integral to their future state.
Key developments:
- Palestinian displacement increased, with thousands more fleeing or being expelled.
- Israeli settlements began to appear in the West Bank, a process that would accelerate in the decades to come.
- Palestinians began living under daily military control, marked by checkpoints, restrictions, and surveillance.
These actions violated international law under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits transferring civilians into occupied territory — sparking international condemnation.
Jerusalem: A Spiritual and Political Flashpoint
Perhaps the most emotionally charged outcome was the capture of East Jerusalem, home to:
- The Western Wall (Judaism’s holiest site)
- The Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock (Islam’s third holiest site)
- The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (a key Christian site)
Israel declared a unified Jerusalem as its capital — a move never internationally recognized, as Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
Rise of Palestinian Resistance
The aftermath of 1967 saw the radicalization of Palestinian nationalism:
- The PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) became more prominent under Yasser Arafat.
- Armed resistance and attacks on Israeli targets increased.
- Palestinians began pushing not just for liberation — but for self-determination.
The war shifted the narrative from an Arab-Israeli war to a direct Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
UN Resolution 242 and the Road to Stalemate
Following the war, the United Nations adopted Resolution 242, which called for::
- Withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories.
- Recognition of all states’ rights to exist in peace.
The ambiguity of the wording (“territories” vs. “the territories”) allowed both sides to interpret it differently, laying the groundwork for decades of diplomatic stalemates.
Conclusion: Six Days, Endless Consequences
The Six-Day War of 1967 marked a pivotal turning point in the Israel-Palestine conflict:
- Occupation and settlement became the core issues.
- Jerusalem’s status became a red line for both sides.
- Palestinian resistance took on new forms — from armed struggle to political activism.
While Israel celebrated military success, Palestinians were left under occupation, displaced from their lands, and with a future increasingly shaped by walls, checkpoints, and international struggle for recognition.
