Israel Completes Sinai Withdrawal Under Intense US Pressure
Israeli forces evacuate Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip after four-month occupation, ending Suez Crisis with diplomatic guarantees.
Israel completed its withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip today, ending a four-month occupation that began with October’s invasion of Egypt. The pullback came after unprecedented pressure from the Eisenhower administration, including threats of economic sanctions.
The withdrawal marks a complex conclusion to the Suez Crisis, with Israel achieving some objectives while suffering a diplomatic defeat alongside Britain and France.
Gains and Losses
Israel secured important concessions despite the withdrawal:
- UN Emergency Force (UNEF) deployment in Sinai to prevent fedayeen raids
- US assurances regarding free passage through the Straits of Tiran
- Temporary cessation of cross-border attacks from Gaza
However, the forced withdrawal demonstrated Israel’s dependence on US support and the limits of military victory without diplomatic backing.
Palestinian Ramifications
During the four-month occupation of Gaza, Israeli forces uncovered extensive Egyptian military infrastructure and fedayeen training camps. The operation resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, with controversial incidents including what Palestinians call the “Khan Yunis massacre.”
Gaza returns to Egyptian administration, but the refugee population’s frustration has intensified. Many Palestinians increasingly view armed resistance as their only option, with new militant groups forming in the camps.
Regional Realignment
The crisis accelerated fundamental shifts in Middle Eastern politics:
- Nasser emerged strengthened despite military defeat, becoming the Arab world’s undisputed leader
- Soviet influence expanded as the USSR backed Egypt against “Western imperialism”
- The US established itself as the dominant Western power in the region
- Britain and France’s colonial influence effectively ended
Looking Forward
While UNEF deployment may provide temporary stability, core issues remain unresolved. Palestinian refugees still demand return to their homes, Arab states refuse recognition of Israel, and borders remain armistice lines rather than permanent boundaries.
Israeli military analyst Yigal Allon noted: “We won every battle but had to withdraw anyway. Next time, we must ensure military victory translates into political gains.”
The Suez Crisis demonstrated that in the nuclear age, even successful military operations require superpower backing. This lesson will likely shape Israeli strategy in future conflicts.