The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the War of Independence by Israelis or the Nakba (Catastrophe) by Palestinians, was a pivotal conflict in the history of the Middle East. This war erupted immediately following the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine on May 14, 1948, when the State of Israel declared its independence.
Background
- Mandate Period: The conflict's roots trace back to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, where Britain promised support for a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire.
- UN Partition Plan: In 1947, the United Nations proposed the UN Partition Plan for Palestine (Resolution 181), which suggested the creation of separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under international administration. This plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab leaders.
Outbreak of the War
The war officially began on May 15, 1948, when the armies of Egypt, Transjordan, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon invaded the newly declared State of Israel. Their aim was to prevent the establishment of the Jewish state and to support Palestinian Arab forces.
Major Events
- Battle of Latrun: An important strategic battle where Israeli forces attempted to open the road to Jerusalem but were repelled by Jordanian forces.
- Operation Dani: An Israeli offensive that led to the capture of Lod and Ramla, causing significant Palestinian displacement.
- Deir Yassin Massacre: A controversial event where Irgun and Lehi (Zionist paramilitary groups) attacked the village of Deir Yassin, resulting in civilian casualties and contributing to the mass exodus of Palestinians known as the Nakba.
Outcomes
- The war ended with armistices signed between Israel and its neighbors in 1949, known as the 1949 Armistice Agreements.
- Israel expanded its territory beyond the UN Partition Plan's proposed borders, capturing areas like the Negev and parts of Galilee.
- Approximately 700,000 Palestinians were displaced, creating a significant refugee problem which persists to this day.
- The West Bank came under Jordanian control, and the Gaza Strip was controlled by Egypt.
Legacy
The 1948 Arab-Israeli War set the stage for many of the conflicts that would follow in the region. It led to:
Sources
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