Six-Day War (1967)

By Thomas Flynn, Matthew Foote, and Julia Hogan

The Six‑Day War, fought in June 1967, was a short but highly important conflict between Israel and the neighboring Arab countries of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Tensions had been building due to unresolved issues from earlier wars, border conflicts, and rising nationalism on both sides. The fighting started when Egypt closed the Strait of Tiran to Israeli ships and moved its military into the Sinai Peninsula, which were actions Israel viewed as direct threats to its security. In response, Israel launched a proactive strike on June 5, primarily targeting Egypt’s air force and setting off a regional war in the Middle East. 

Although the fighting lasted less than a week, the outcome reshaped the Middle East. Israel defeated the surrounding Arab armies and captured major territories, including the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The UN issued a ceasefire to end the conflict, but the territorial and political changes created new tensions that still influence the region today. Israel continues to occupy many of those territories nearly 60 years later.