This story at a glance…

1. The Israel-Palestinian conflict began 75 years ago over land and identity.

2. Wars like the Six-Day War displaced Palestinians and redrew borders.

3. Peace efforts failed due to disputes over refugees, settlements, and Jerusalem.

4. Today, Gaza remains a flashpoint with no resolution in sight.

Understanding the Israel-Palestinian Conflict

The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has persisted for over 75 years, shaping the Middle East and impacting countless lives. The latest war in Gaza is considered one of the bloodiest chapters in this ongoing struggle, bringing historical grievances, modern politics, and human suffering into sharp focus. To understand the current situation, we must look back at the history, key events, and the major issues at play.

How It All Began
The roots of the conflict stretch back to the early 20th century when the region of Palestine was under British control. After World War I, the idea of creating a homeland for Jewish people gained momentum, particularly as Jewish communities faced rising persecution in Europe. Palestinians, the majority population at the time, opposed this idea as they sought independence on the same land.

In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan: the land would be divided into two states—one for Jews and one for Arabs—while Jerusalem would be placed under international rule. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, which granted them 56% of the land, but Arab nations rejected it. This disagreement laid the groundwork for conflict.

The very next year, in 1948, Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion, declared the creation of the modern state of Israel, providing a safe haven for Jews fleeing persecution. However, this event triggered immediate war. Five Arab nations attacked Israel, but Israel defended itself and expanded its territory. During the war, an estimated 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes—a tragedy Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, or “catastrophe.” These displaced people and their descendants remain at the heart of the conflict today.

Key Wars and Battles
The decades following Israel’s founding saw repeated wars and uprisings:

• The Six-Day War (1967): Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. In just six days, it captured significant territories, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. Many Palestinians fled or were displaced again.

• Yom Kippur War (1973): Egypt and Syria attacked Israeli positions, but Israel eventually regained control.

• The Lebanon War (1982): Israel invaded Lebanon to target Palestinian fighters. Israeli forces withdrew in 2000.

• Intifadas (Uprisings): Two major Palestinian uprisings took place (1987–1993 and 2000–2005), marked by protests, violent clashes, and significant loss of life. During the second intifada, Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas, carried out suicide bombings in Israel. Israel responded with airstrikes and military operations.

Since then, Gaza has been a central flashpoint. In 2005, Israel withdrew settlers and soldiers from Gaza. However, Hamas, a militant group that refuses to recognize Israel, seized control in 2007. Since then, multiple wars have occurred between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, often resulting in heavy civilian casualties.

Attempts at Peace
Despite decades of violence, there have been efforts to achieve peace:

1. Camp David Accords (1979): Egypt became the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel.

2. Oslo Accords (1993): This historic agreement granted limited self-rule for Palestinians in parts of the West Bank and Gaza.

3. Abraham Accords (2020): Under U.S. mediation, Israel normalized ties with several Arab nations like the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. However, Palestinians viewed this agreement as sidelining their aspirations for statehood.

Peace efforts have often stalled due to disagreements over key issues such as borders, the fate of refugees, and the status of Jerusalem. Today, these issues remain unresolved, and negotiations remain at a standstill.

Core Issues Preventing Peace
Several critical issues fuel the conflict:

• Two-State Solution: Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel insists on maintaining security control over the region, complicating this proposal.

• Settlements: Israel continues building settlements in the West Bank, which most countries consider illegal. Israel argues it has historical and biblical ties to the land.

• Jerusalem: Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital. The city holds religious significance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike.

• Refugees: Millions of Palestinians, descendants of those displaced in 1948, demand the right to return to their homes. Israel rejects this, saying it would undermine the state’s Jewish character.

Where Things Stand Today
The ongoing war in Gaza reflects the deep divisions between Israel and Hamas. Despite efforts by Egypt and Qatar to broker ceasefires, peace remains elusive. Hamas insists on hostages being released as part of a broader peace deal, while Israel refuses to end its military campaign until Hamas is dismantled.

At the same time, international efforts, such as those led by the U.S., aim for a broader Middle East peace deal. However, progress is hampered by disagreements over Palestinian statehood and security concerns.

Reflection
The history of the Israel-Palestinian conflict is deeply tragic, filled with pain, displacement, and loss. Yet, as Christians, we are called to pray for peace in a region that holds significance for our faith and for countless others. Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.” While the path to peace seems uncertain, our prayers can sow seeds of hope. Let us lift up the leaders, families, and individuals on all sides of this conflict, asking God to bring healing, justice, and lasting peace to the land.