Arab-Israeli ConflictArab-Israeli Conflict2000-Present2000-Present

Key EventsKey Events

Origins of the ConflictOrigins of the Conflict

Conflict refers to the Conflict refers to the political and open hostilities political and open hostilities between the Arabs living in between the Arabs living in the middle east and the the middle east and the Jews living in IsraelJews living in Israel

Started over territory Started over territory disputes after the collapse disputes after the collapse of the Ottoman Empireof the Ottoman Empire

Religious differences Religious differences between the two provide between the two provide for radical and violent for radical and violent displays of hatreddisplays of hatred

Importance of the West Importance of the West BankBank

The west bank is a landlocked The west bank is a landlocked portion of the River Jordan, portion of the River Jordan, bordering both Israel and Jordanbordering both Israel and Jordan

Has been under Israeli military Has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967occupation since 1967

Thousands of Israeli people had Thousands of Israeli people had settled on the West Bank, with settled on the West Bank, with most residing in most residing in the Gaza strip, a major area on the the Gaza strip, a major area on the bankbank

According the Oslo accords of According the Oslo accords of 1993, agreements were made that 1993, agreements were made that the Gaza Strip would be taken the Gaza Strip would be taken over by Palestinian authorities. over by Palestinian authorities.

Complete Israeli withdrawal would Complete Israeli withdrawal would not end until 2005not end until 2005

Gaza WithdrawalGaza Withdrawal

Ariel Sharon, Israeli Prime Ariel Sharon, Israeli Prime minister, began Israeli minister, began Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in withdrawal from Gaza in 20032003

The decision was met with The decision was met with shock and rage from the shock and rage from the entire country.entire country.

Gaza residents refused to Gaza residents refused to leave their homes, and had leave their homes, and had to be forcibly removed by to be forcibly removed by Israeli police and soldiers.Israeli police and soldiers.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

Israeli Withdrawal from Israeli Withdrawal from GazaGaza

Capture of Gilad ShalitCapture of Gilad ShalitJune 25, 2006June 25, 2006

Palestinian militants crossed into Israel Palestinian militants crossed into Israel and attacked an Israeli army postand attacked an Israeli army post

During the attack, 4 were killed, and During the attack, 4 were killed, and 19 year old Israeli solder Gilad Shalit 19 year old Israeli solder Gilad Shalit was capturedwas captured

Shalit has been held by Hamas Shalit has been held by Hamas members in Gaza ever sincemembers in Gaza ever since

Gilad before his capture

Protests for Shalit’s release

Hamas (a Palestinian terrorist group) say they want 1,000 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel to be released in exchange for Shalit

Topic has been very controversial, and dozens of protests around the world have called for Shalit’s release

2006 Lebanon War2006 Lebanon WarJuly 2006July 2006

Hezbollah terrorists crossed into Israel (from Lebanon) Hezbollah terrorists crossed into Israel (from Lebanon) and attacked group of Israeli soldiers, killing 8and attacked group of Israeli soldiers, killing 8

Israel responded by conducting precision air strikes on Israel responded by conducting precision air strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.

Hundreds of airstrikes and bombing followed, being Hundreds of airstrikes and bombing followed, being exchanged from both sides, with civilians targeted by the exchanged from both sides, with civilians targeted by the HezbollahHezbollah

Conflict ended with a United Nations ordered ceasefire.Conflict ended with a United Nations ordered ceasefire. War killed over 1,000, most of whom were LebaneseWar killed over 1,000, most of whom were Lebanese Approximately 1 million Lebanese and 3-500,000 Israelis Approximately 1 million Lebanese and 3-500,000 Israelis

were displacedwere displaced Southern Lebanon is still uninhabitable due to Israeli Southern Lebanon is still uninhabitable due to Israeli

bombing during the warbombing during the war

Scenes from the Lebanon Scenes from the Lebanon WarWar

Operation OrchardOperation Orchard September 6, 2007 September 6, 2007

Israeli ordered air strike on Deir ez-zor region of Israeli ordered air strike on Deir ez-zor region of SyriaSyria

U.S and Israeli officials reported that the target U.S and Israeli officials reported that the target was a facility used to make nuclear weaponswas a facility used to make nuclear weapons

Syria, however, denied this claimSyria, however, denied this claim

Gaza War of 2008Gaza War of 2008

Six month truce between Six month truce between Hamas group and Israel Hamas group and Israel expired on December 19, expired on December 19, 20082008

Hamas resumed rocket and Hamas resumed rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli mortar attacks on Israeli cities-over 60 rockets cities-over 60 rockets launched in one daylaunched in one day

Israel responded by Israel responded by launching a massive aerial launching a massive aerial assault on Gaza, leading to assault on Gaza, leading to a major military conflicta major military conflict

Hamas rocket and mortar attacks

Gaza WarGaza War Following the fighting, Human Rights groups Following the fighting, Human Rights groups

accused Hamas and Israel of various war accused Hamas and Israel of various war crimes, including targeting civilian homes, crimes, including targeting civilian homes, school, and officesschool, and offices

After a ceasefire ended the war, BBC After a ceasefire ended the war, BBC reported that 40,000 Gazans were left reported that 40,000 Gazans were left without water, tens of thousands homeless, without water, tens of thousands homeless, with 4,000 homes destroyedwith 4,000 homes destroyed

Aftermath of the WarAftermath of the War