Israel Launches Preemptive Strikes, Beginning the Six-Day War

Event Overview

On June 5, 1967, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched coordinated air strikes against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, marking the beginning of the Six-Day War.

Details

• Israeli warplanes attacked Egyptian airfields early in the morning, destroying most of Egypt’s air force on the ground.
• Following the initial strikes, Israel expanded operations against Jordanian and Syrian air forces.
• These attacks gave Israel air superiority and initiated six days of military conflict.
• During the war, Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria.

Impact

The preemptive strikes on June 5, 1967, set the stage for Israel's rapid territorial gains and significantly altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.