Six-Day War Ends with Israel Controlling West Bank, Gaza, Sinai and Golan
Ceasefire takes effect as Israel achieves stunning military victory, tripling its territory and bringing one million Palestinians under occupation.
The Six-Day War concluded today with Israel in control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights—a stunning military victory that fundamentally transforms the Middle Eastern landscape and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In less than a week, Israel defeated three Arab armies, captured territory three times its original size, and brought over one million Palestinians under military occupation.
Territorial Transformation
Israel now controls:
- The West Bank: Including East Jerusalem, bringing 600,000 Palestinians under Israeli rule
- Gaza Strip: With 350,000 Palestinian residents, mostly refugees from 1948
- Sinai Peninsula: Egypt’s vast desert buffer, stretching to the Suez Canal
- Golan Heights: Syria’s strategic plateau overlooking northern Israel
Jerusalem Reunified
The capture of East Jerusalem proved the war’s most emotional moment for Israelis. Defense Minister Moshe Dayan declared at the Western Wall: “We have returned to our holiest places, never to depart again.”
For Palestinians, Jerusalem’s fall represents a catastrophic loss. The city contains Islam’s third-holiest site and served as the center of Palestinian political and cultural life.
New Refugee Crisis
An estimated 300,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled during the fighting, creating a new wave of refugees. Many crossed the Jordan River to the East Bank, while others sought shelter in Lebanon and Syria.
“This is 1948 all over again,” said Khalil al-Hassan, fleeing Jericho with his family. “First we lost our homes, now we lose our homeland.”
Occupation Dilemmas
Israel faces immediate decisions about governing over one million Palestinians. Initial military orders establish martial law, with the Israeli military controlling all aspects of civilian life.
Some Israeli leaders advocate returning territories for peace, while others see strategic depth and biblical fulfillment in the conquests. The divided Israeli cabinet has postponed fundamental decisions.
International Response
The UN Security Council debates Resolution 242, calling for “withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied” in exchange for peace. The deliberately ambiguous wording—“territories” versus “the territories”—reflects diplomatic compromises.
Arab states, meeting in Khartoum, are expected to maintain their rejectionist stance: no peace, no recognition, no negotiations with Israel.
Long-term Implications
The war’s swift conclusion leaves fundamental issues unresolved:
- Will Israel trade land for peace or pursue permanent control?
- How will Palestinians under occupation organize resistance?
- Can the international community broker a comprehensive settlement?
As euphoria grips Israel and despair engulfs the Arab world, the seeds of future conflict are already visible. The occupation that begins today may define the Israeli-Palestinian struggle for generations to come.