HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE GAZA-ISRAELI CONFLICT 1948 – 2023

The conflict between Gaza and Israel stems from the larger Arab-Israeli dispute. Following the United Nations' 1947 proposal to divide the territory into separate Jewish and Arab states, Israel proclaimed its independence on May 14, 1948. This declaration triggered the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, during which Egypt assumed control of the Gaza Strip. When the war concluded in 1949 with the signing of the Armistice Agreements, Gaza remained under Egyptian administration.1 During Egypt's administration of Gaza, the area became a refuge for a significant number of displaced Palestinians. As Palestinian nationalism intensified, militant groups such as the Fedayeen began carrying out cross-border raids into Israeli territory, which led to Israeli military responses. On May 28, 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded at the first Arab League Summit held in Cairo. The organization was established to serve as the recognized representative of the Palestinian people, aiming to achieve self-determination and ultimately liberate Palestine from Israeli authority.2 In 1967, escalating tensions between Israel and its neighboring Arab states sparked the Six-Day War. Israel quickly overcame the forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, gaining control of several territories, including Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. The occupation of Gaza brought an increased Israeli military presence and the establishment of settlements, intensifying Palestinian anger. As Israeli settlements expanded within Gaza, Palestinian opposition mounted, resulting in frequent confrontations. This growing 1 unrest culminated in the First Intifada in 1987, characterized by widespread protests and violent clashes with Israeli troops.3