Six-Day War
The Six-Day War was a brief armed conflict fought from 5 to 10 June 1967 between Israel and the Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, with Iraq also involved in the broader Arab coalition.
The Six-Day War was a brief armed conflict fought from 5 to 10 June 1967 between Israel and the Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, with Iraq also involved in the broader Arab coalition. Israel won a decisive military victory and captured the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights, territories whose status became a long-term source of dispute.
Background
The war grew out of escalating Arab-Israeli tensions in the years after the 1956 Suez Crisis. Concerns over military mobilization, border incidents, and regional hostilities contributed to the outbreak of fighting.
Course of the war
Israel opened the conflict with a pre-emptive air strike and rapidly gained air superiority. Ground fighting then led to the swift defeat of Egyptian, Jordanian, and Syrian forces.
Territorial changes
By the end of the war, Israel occupied the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights. These territorial gains reshaped regional politics and became central to later diplomacy.
Aftermath
The war ended with a ceasefire and was followed by UN Security Council Resolution 242, which addressed withdrawal from occupied territories in exchange for peace. The conflict had lasting effects on Arab-Israeli relations and the wider Middle East.
Key facts
- The war lasted six days, from 5 to 10 June 1967.
- Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against Egypt and then defeated the Arab coalition.
- Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria.
- The conflict significantly changed the territorial map of the Middle East.
- The status of the occupied territories became a major issue in later peace efforts and negotiations.
Canada has been involved in Middle East diplomacy and peacekeeping efforts, and the Six-Day War shaped many later international debates that Canadian governments and Canadians followed closely.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Six-Day War?
Why is it called the Six-Day War?
Which territories did Israel capture?
Who fought in the war?
How did the war end?
Why is the war historically important?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Supports: Date, belligerents, outcome, and territories captured
- History.com — Supports: Course of the war, pre-emptive strikes, and ceasefire
- U.S. Department of State — Supports: Territories occupied and UN Security Council Resolution 242
- BBC News — Supports: Territorial changes and historical significance