Overview

The Six-Day War was fought from 5 to 10 June 1967 between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt, Jordan and Syria.

In just six days, Israel secured a decisive military victory and captured large territories, fundamentally reshaping Middle Eastern geopolitics.

It is also known as the June War or the 1967 Arab–Israeli War.

Historical Background

The conflict must be understood in the context of earlier Arab–Israeli wars.

• 1948 Arab–Israeli War led to the creation of Israel
• 1956 Suez Crisis involved Israel, Britain and France against Egypt
• Continued border skirmishes and Palestinian guerrilla activity increased tensions

By the mid-1960s, hostility between Israel and neighbouring Arab states remained intense.

Immediate Causes

Military Escalation in May 1967

• Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser deployed troops in the Sinai Peninsula
• United Nations Emergency Force was asked to withdraw from Sinai
• Egypt closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, cutting access to the Red Sea
• Defence pacts were formed between Egypt, Jordan and Syria

Israel viewed the blockade and military mobilisation as acts of war and an existential threat.

Course of the War

Operation Focus

On 5 June 1967, Israel launched a preemptive air strike known as Operation Focus.

• Destroyed most of Egypt’s air force on the ground
• Gained air superiority within hours

Sinai Front

Israeli forces rapidly advanced across the Sinai Peninsula, defeating Egyptian troops and reaching the Suez Canal.

Jordanian Front

After Jordan entered the war, Israeli forces captured

• West Bank
• East Jerusalem including the Old City

Syrian Front

In the final phase, Israel attacked Syrian positions and captured the Golan Heights.

By 10 June, a ceasefire was declared.

Territorial Consequences

Israel captured

• Sinai Peninsula from Egypt
• Gaza Strip
• West Bank including East Jerusalem from Jordan
• Golan Heights from Syria

Israel’s territory effectively tripled in size.

Political and Strategic Impact

Shift in Regional Power Balance

• Israel emerged as a dominant regional military power
• Arab states suffered major military and political setbacks

Rise of the Palestinian Issue

• Large Palestinian populations came under Israeli control
• Strengthened the role of the Palestine Liberation Organization

Jerusalem

• Israel declared unified Jerusalem as its capital
• East Jerusalem remains one of the most sensitive issues in the conflict

International Response

The United Nations adopted Security Council Resolution 242 in November 1967.

It called for

• Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the conflict
• Recognition of every state’s right to live in peace within secure boundaries

The wording of Resolution 242 became a subject of diplomatic debate and remains central to peace negotiations.

Long-Term Consequences

• Laid groundwork for the 1973 Yom Kippur War
• Led to Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank
• Intensified Arab nationalism and internal political changes
• Influenced future peace agreements, including the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty of 1979

Significance in Contemporary Politics

The territories captured in 1967 remain at the heart of the Israel–Palestine conflict.

• Status of West Bank and Gaza
• Control over East Jerusalem
• Sovereignty over Golan Heights

These issues continue to shape diplomatic efforts and regional instability.

Conclusion

The Six-Day War was a transformative event in Middle Eastern history. In less than a week, it redrew borders, altered power equations and created unresolved territorial disputes that continue to influence regional and global politics decades later.