The Roots of the Conflict: A Timeline of Israel-Palestine Tensions

The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the world’s most enduring and complex disputes, rooted in a century of territorial, religious, and political struggles. To understand today’s violence—whether the October 7 Hamas attack or Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza—we must examine the historical turning points that shaped this bitter divide.

This timeline breaks down key events from the early 20th century to today, explaining how competing claims to the land, broken promises, and wars led to the current crisis.

1. Ottoman Rule & British Control (Pre-1948)

For centuries, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire, home to a majority-Arab Muslim and Christian population, with a small Jewish minority. After World War I, the British took control under a League of Nations mandate (1920).

• 1917: Balfour Declaration – The British government pledged support for "a national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, angering Arab residents who feared displacement.
• 1920s–1940s: Rising Tensions – Jewish immigration (spurred by European antisemitism) increased, leading to clashes between Zionist militias and Arab Palestinians.

2. The 1948 Nakba & Israel’s Creation

In 1947, the UN proposed partitioning Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. Jewish leaders accepted; Arab leaders rejected it, seeing it as a Western-imposed injustice.

• May 1948: Israel Declares Independence – David Ben-Gurion announced the state of Israel. Neighboring Arab nations (Egypt, Jordan, Syria) immediately invaded, but Israel won.
• The Nakba ("Catastrophe") – Over 700,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled their homes during the war. Many became refugees, forbidden to return.
• Israel Expanded Its Borders – Beyond the UN partition plan, seizing 78% of historic Palestine.

3. The 1967 Six-Day War & Occupation

In June 1967, Israel preemptively struck Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, fearing an attack. In six days, Israel:

• Captured the West Bank (from Jordan).
• Took Gaza & Sinai (from Egypt).
• Occupied East Jerusalem & Golan Heights (from Syria).

This began Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian territories, which continues today.

4. The First Intifada & Oslo Accords (1987–1993)

• 1987: First Intifada – A Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule began with protests, boycotts, and clashes. Over 1,000 Palestinians and 160 Israelis died in six years.
• 1993: Oslo Accords – Israel and the PLO (led by Yasser Arafat) agreed to a peace process, creating the Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern parts of the West Bank/Gaza.
  • Failure: Israel kept expanding settlements, and Hamas opposed the deals.

5. Hamas, Blockades, and Repeated Wars (2000s–Present)

• 2000: Second Intifada – After failed peace talks, violence erupted. Suicide bombings and Israeli crackdowns killed ~3,000 Palestinians & ~1,000 Israelis.
• 2005: Israel Withdraws from Gaza – But imposed a blockade after Hamas won elections (2006) and took control (2007).
• Major Conflicts:
  • 2008–2009 Gaza War (1,400+ Palestinians killed).
  • 2014 Gaza War (2,200+ Palestinians, 73 Israelis killed).
  • 2021 Sheikh Jarrah Clashes – Palestinian protests over evictions in Jerusalem led to an 11-day war.
  • October 7, 2023 – Hamas’s attack killed 1,200 Israelis; Israel’s retaliation killed over 35,000+ Palestinians (as of June 2024).

Why History Matters Today

• Palestinian Grievances: The Nakba, occupation, and settlements fuel demands for justice.
• Israeli Security Fears: Holocaust trauma and past wars justify military dominance to many Jews.
• Failed Diplomacy: Every peace plan (Oslo, Camp David, Trump’s "Deal of the Century") has collapsed.

Conclusion: Is Peace Possible?

The cycle of violence seems unbreakable, but history shows that political will—not just war—can change realities. While some advocate for a two-state solution, others now debate a single democratic state. One thing is clear: without addressing historical wounds, the bloodshed will continue.