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Israel declares independence
Israel declares Independence from British rule, before the expiration of the British Mandate of Palestine at midnight. -
Israel invades Egypt and the Kafr Qasim massacre
Israel invades Egypt's Sinai Peninsula with covert assent from France and Britain. The European nations had economic and trading interests in the Suez Canal, while Israel wanted to reopen the canal for Israeli shipping and end Egyptian-supported fedayeen incursions and attacks. Kafr Qasim massacre. 48-49 Arab civilians are killed by Israel Border Police as they return to their village from work.
Egypt expels its Jewish population and confiscates their property. -
Beginning of the Six-Day War
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched Operation Focus. Combined air attacks on all fronts in early morning destroy two-thirds of Arab aircraft. -
Day 2 of Six-Day War
Paratroopers move from Ammunition Hill to Mt. Scopus (Jerusalem). -
Day 3 of Six-Day War
Old City captured, the West Bank is controlled, and Israeli military government is established. -
Day 6 of Six-Day War
Ceasefire proclaimed, Israel controls Golan Heights and demilitarizes Jerusalem area. -
Independent Palestinian state proclaimed
An independent State of Palestine was proclaimed by the Palestinian National Council meeting in Algiers, by a vote of 253 to 46. -
United States direct talks
U.S. launches direct negotiations between Israel and The Palestinian Authority in Washington D.C