History of Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands.

The history of Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands is complex and has its roots in a series of historical events, conflicts, and political developments. It's important to note that perspectives on this issue can vary, and the following summary provides a broad overview:

1. Pre-20th Century:
   • The region known as Palestine has a long history with various populations, including Canaanites, Israelites, Babylonians, Romans, and others.
   • In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tensions arose between Jewish and Arab communities in the region.
2. Balfour Declaration (1917):
   • During World War I, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.
   • After the war, Britain gained control of the area, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire.
3. League of Nations Mandate (1920-1948):
   • The League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine.
   • Jewish immigration increased, leading to tensions between Jewish and Arab communities.
4. UN Partition Plan (1947):
   • The United Nations proposed a partition plan to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city.
   • While the Jewish leadership accepted the plan, Arab leaders rejected it.
5. Israeli War of Independence (1948-1949):
   • The State of Israel was declared in May 1948, leading to armed conflict between Israel and neighboring Arab states.
   • The war resulted in territorial changes, with Israel gaining more land than initially allotted in the UN partition plan.
6. Armistice Agreements (1949):
   • Armistice agreements were signed between Israel and its neighboring Arab states, establishing the borders of Israel.
   • The West Bank and East Jerusalem came under Jordanian control, and the Gaza Strip came under Egyptian control.
7. Six-Day War (1967):
   • Tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors escalated, leading to the Six-Day War.
   • Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula.
8. Occupation and Settlements:
   • Israel began building settlements in the newly occupied territories, leading to international condemnation.
   • Numerous United Nations resolutions called for Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories.
9. Peace Processes:
   • Various peace initiatives and negotiations have taken place over the years, including the Oslo Accords in the 1990s.
   • The status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and the issue of settlements remain major points of contention.
10. Current Situation:
    • The situation remains complex, with ongoing conflict, periodic violence, and a lack of a comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The history of Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands is a deeply contentious and sensitive issue, and different perspectives on the conflict exist. Efforts toward a peaceful resolution continue, but the situation remains complex and challenging.