The Six-Day War in the Middle East

 

Main Milestones

The Six-Day War was a conflict that took place between June 5 and June 10, 1967. Here is an overview of the events leading up to and the start of the war:

1.       Tensions and Regional Context: Tensions had been escalating in the region for several years prior to the war. The state of Israel had been established in 1948, leading to ongoing disputes and conflicts with neighboring Arab countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Tensions were particularly high between Israel and Egypt, with occasional skirmishes along the border.

2.       Sinai Campaign and Blockade: In May 1967, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser ordered the removal of United Nations peacekeeping forces from the Sinai Peninsula and imposed a blockade on the Israeli port of Eilat, effectively closing the Strait of Tiran to Israeli shipping. These actions were seen as aggressive moves by Israel and raised concerns about the potential for a military confrontation.

3.       Military Buildup and Perceived Threats: Israel perceived the military buildup and hostile rhetoric from its Arab neighbors, particularly Egypt, as a threat to its existence. Arab leaders, including Nasser, made statements calling for the destruction of Israel, heightening fears of an imminent attack.

4.       Israeli Preemptive Strike: On June 5, 1967, Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, launching air attacks on Egyptian air bases, destroying a significant portion of the Egyptian Air Force. This strike was part of Israel's strategy to neutralize the perceived threat from Egypt and gain the upper hand in the conflict.

5.       Arab Coalition Response: Following the Israeli attack on Egypt, other Arab countries, including Jordan and Syria, joined the conflict, launching their own military operations against Israel. Jordan shelled Israeli positions in Jerusalem and the West Bank, while Syria attacked Israeli positions in the Golan Heights.

6.       Swift Israeli Advances: Over the next six days, Israeli forces made significant territorial gains, swiftly advancing on multiple fronts. Israeli forces captured the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria.

Armies before the War

During the Six-Day War, the militaries of Israel and its Arab neighbors engaged in conflict. Here is a brief comparison of the armies involved:

Israel:

1.       Size and Conscription: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had a relatively small standing army, estimated at around 275,000 personnel, with the majority being conscripts. Israel had implemented mandatory military service for both men and women.

2.       Training and Technology: The IDF had a well-trained and highly motivated military force, benefitting from a combination of compulsory military service, regular training, and combat experience from previous conflicts. Israel also had access to advanced military technology, including aircraft, tanks, and weaponry.

3.       Strategic Advantage: Israel enjoyed a strategic advantage due to its intelligence capabilities, including air superiority and effective coordination between different branches of the military. They were able to launch a successful preemptive strike on their adversaries, gaining the initiative in the early stages of the war.

4.       Coordination and Mobility: The IDF demonstrated effective coordination and mobility during the war, swiftly moving their forces to multiple fronts and achieving rapid territorial gains. They implemented innovative tactics, such as the use of armored divisions, combined arms operations, and close air support.

Arab States:

1.       Size and Conscription: The Arab armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and other participating countries had larger combined forces compared to Israel. They had a total estimated troop strength of around 550,000 personnel.

2.       Equipment and Technology: The Arab armies had access to Soviet military equipment, including tanks, aircraft, and artillery. However, their equipment and technology were generally considered to be inferior to that of Israel.

3.       Command Structure and Coordination: The coordination and cooperation between Arab states were limited. Each country operated under its own command structure, leading to communication challenges and a lack of unified strategy.

4.       Strategic Disadvantages: The Arab forces faced several strategic disadvantages, including limited air superiority, ineffective coordination, and insufficient intelligence. They also had dispersed forces and were caught off guard by Israel's preemptive strike.

5.       Terrain and Defensive Positions: In some areas, Arab forces held advantageous defensive positions, such as fortified positions in the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights. However, these advantages were not fully utilized, and the Israeli forces were able to overcome them.

Military Losses

During the Six-Day War, there were military losses suffered by both sides involved in the conflict. Here are some general details about the military losses incurred:

Israel:

1.       Casualties: Israel suffered a total of approximately 776 military personnel killed during the war, including both combatants and non-combatants.

2.       Aircraft Losses: The Israeli Air Force lost around 46 aircraft, including both combat and support aircraft, during the conflict. However, Israel's ability to quickly disable the Egyptian Air Force in the early stages of the war limited further losses.

3.       Tank Losses: Israel lost around 800 tanks during the war, but many of these losses were later replenished through captured enemy equipment or purchases from other countries.

Egypt:

1.       Casualties: Egypt suffered the highest number of military casualties among the Arab states involved. Estimates suggest that around 10,000 to 15,000 Egyptian soldiers were killed or wounded during the conflict.

2.       Aircraft Losses: The Egyptian Air Force faced significant losses, with approximately 300 to 400 aircraft destroyed or captured by Israeli forces. The Israeli preemptive strike on Egyptian air bases severely crippled Egypt's air capabilities.

3.       Tank and Equipment Losses: Egypt lost a significant number of tanks and other military equipment during the war. Approximately 800 to 900 tanks were destroyed or captured by Israeli forces.

Jordan:

1.       Casualties: Jordanian military casualties are estimated to be around 6,000 to 7,000 soldiers killed or wounded during the war.

2.       Aircraft Losses: The Royal Jordanian Air Force suffered heavy losses, with approximately 30 to 40 aircraft destroyed or captured by Israeli forces.

3.       Territory Losses: Jordan lost control of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to Israeli forces during the war.

Syria:

1.       Casualties: Syrian military casualties are estimated to be around 2,500 to 3,500 soldiers killed or wounded during the conflict.

2.       Aircraft Losses: The Syrian Air Force experienced significant losses, with approximately 60 to 100 aircraft destroyed or captured by Israeli forces.

3.       Territory Losses: Israel captured the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau, from Syria during the war.

Political Consequences

The Six-Day War had profound political consequences that reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Here are some key political outcomes:

1.       Israeli Territorial Expansion: Israel achieved significant territorial gains during the war. It captured and occupied the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. This expanded Israel's control over areas previously held by its Arab neighbors.

2.       Status of Jerusalem: The capture of East Jerusalem by Israel during the war had significant political implications, particularly regarding the status of Jerusalem as a contested city. Israel annexed East Jerusalem and declared the city as its capital, a move that has not been recognized by some of the governments. This has further complicated efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and led to ongoing disputes over the status of Jerusalem.

3.       Palestinian Nationalism: The war intensified Palestinian nationalist sentiment and aspirations for self-determination. The occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip by Israel sparked a renewed focus on the Palestinian cause and led to the rise of various Palestinian political groups, such as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which became a central player in subsequent peace negotiations.

4.       Khartoum Resolution: In the aftermath of the war, Arab leaders convened in Khartoum, Sudan, and issued the "Three No's" resolution: no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, and no negotiations with Israel. This reflected the Arab states' rejectionist stance toward Israel and hindered immediate prospects for peace negotiations.

5.       UN Security Council Resolution 242: The war prompted international efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. UN Security Council Resolution 242 was adopted, emphasizing the principle of "land for peace" and calling for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied during the war in exchange for recognition and peace with its Arab neighbors. The interpretation and implementation of this resolution have remained contentious over the years.

These political consequences had far-reaching implications, impacting subsequent peace negotiations, regional stability, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The issues stemming from the Six-Day War, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the status of Jerusalem, continue to be significant challenges in the region today.