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Context

• Fifty-seven years have passed since the Six-Day War, fought between Israel and its Arab neighbours between June 5 and June 10, 1967.

Roots of the Conflict

• Establishment of Israel: The Six-Day War stemmed from escalating tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors, particularly Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, arising from the establishment of Israel and the displacement of Palestinian Arabs.
• Territorial and Water Disputes: Egypt, under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, had a strained relationship with Israel due to territorial and water disputes.

Outbreak of the War

• Immediate Trigger: Egypt's naval blockade of the Straits of Tiran in May 1967, disrupting Israeli commerce, served as the immediate trigger.
• Israeli Response: Israel launched a pre-emptive military strike on Egyptian airfields on June 5, gaining air superiority and launching ground operations into Sinai and Gaza. Jordan and Syria joined the conflict, attacking Israel from the north and south.

Consequences of the War

• Swift Victory: Israel swiftly gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza, the Golan Heights, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
• Geopolitical Supremacy: The war established Israel's geopolitical supremacy in the region, leading to significant strategic gains.
• Rise of Palestinian Nationalism: The war contributed to the rise of Palestinian nationalism and the emergence of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
• Ongoing Tensions: The occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza by Israel post-war contributed to ongoing tensions in the region.
• Unresolved Refugee Crisis: The fate of Palestinian refugees displaced during the war remains unresolved to date.

Transformation of the Region

• Humiliating Defeat for Arabs: The defeat dealt a humiliating blow to the Arab states involved.
• Impact on Geopolitics: The war altered power dynamics in the Middle East and reshaped the region's map.
• Subsequent Conflicts: The 1973 Yom Kippur War can be seen as an attempt to undo the losses suffered by Arab states in the Six-Day War.

Conclusion

• The Six-Day War had far-reaching consequences, shaping the course of history in the Middle East, transforming power dynamics, and laying the groundwork for ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions.

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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Assess the significance of the Six-Day War in shaping the political landscape of the Middle East. Analyze the immediate causes, conduct, and consequences of the conflict, and its implications for regional stability and international relations.

SOURCE:THE INDIAN EXPRESS