Israel’s Occupation of Palestine: A Timeline

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Date: 2026-02-01

<span class="entity" data-desc="State of Israel founded in 1948.">Israel</span>'s Occupation of Palestine: A Timeline

1917 - Balfour Declaration

The British government expresses support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, then under British mandate.

1947 - UN Partition Plan

The UN proposes a plan to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. The plan is accepted by Jews, but rejected by Arab states and Palestinian Arabs.

1948 - Establishment of Israel

On May 14, 1948, Israel declares its independence, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war as neighboring Arab countries invade. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are displaced in what they call the "Nakba" (catastrophe).

1967 - Six-Day War

Israel captures the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights in a brief but decisive conflict. The occupation of these territories remains a core issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

1978 - Camp David Accords

Egypt becomes the first Arab country to recognize Israel, and Israel withdraws from the Sinai Peninsula. However, the Palestinian territories remain under Israeli occupation.

1993 - Oslo Accords

The Oslo Accords, a series of agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), give limited self-rule to Palestinians in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, key issues remain unresolved, including Jerusalem's status and borders.

2000 - Second Intifada

The Second Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, leads to widespread violence, further deepening hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians.

2008-2009 - Gaza War

Israel launches Operation Cast Lead, a military offensive in Gaza aimed at stopping rocket fire from Palestinian militants. Over 1,000 Palestinians and 13 Israelis are killed in the conflict.

2017 - US Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

US President Donald Trump announces that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a move widely condemned by Palestinians and many other countries.

Ongoing - Israeli Settlement Expansion

Israel continues to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, further complicating the peace process and exacerbating tensions with Palestinians.

2021 - Sheikh Jarrah and Gaza Conflict

Violent clashes erupt in East Jerusalem over the forced eviction of Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah, leading to an 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Ongoing - Occupation Continues

Despite numerous peace efforts and international calls for a two-state solution, the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories continues, with significant political, social, and humanitarian impacts on both peoples.