In May 1967, tensions in the Middle East reached a breaking point after the Soviet Union falsely informed Egypt that Israel was massing troops. In response, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser ordered UN peacekeepers to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula. Then, on May 22, he took a step Israel considered an act of war: he closed the Straits of Tiran to all Israeli shipping, cutting off the nation’s southern sea route. As the crisis deepened, King Hussein of Jordan flew to Egypt and signed a mutual defense pact, placing his army under Egyptian command. By early June, a massive Arab force was mobilized along Israel's borders, and the region braced for a conflict that seemed inevitable.
The Six-Day War
In June 1967, Israel's preemptive strike defeated three Arab armies in six days, more than quadrupling the territory under its control.
Chapter 1
The Closing Strait
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Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the Six-Day War in 1967?
The war was preceded by weeks of escalating tensions. Key triggers included Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser ordering UN peacekeepers out of the Sinai Peninsula and his subsequent blockade of the Straits of Tiran, which cut off Israel's southern sea route.
How did Israel win so decisively?
Israel's victory was largely secured on the first morning of the war. A surprise air assault, Operation Focus, destroyed most of the Egyptian, Jordanian, and Syrian air forces while they were still on the ground, granting Israel complete control of the skies for the rest of the conflict.
What were the long-term consequences of the war?
The war resulted in Israel capturing the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, more than quadrupling the territory under its control. It also led to UN Security Council Resolution 242, which established the 'land for peace' formula that has guided subsequent Middle East diplomacy.
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