USA released a 20-point peace plan to end the Israel-Gaza Conflict (refer to infographic).
Ongoing Israel-Gaza Conflict
- The recent escalation, ongoing for over two years, began with Hamas’ Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against Israel, however the origin of go back more than a century.
Historical Context of Conflict
- Balfour Declaration (1917): Issued by British supported the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine.
- It led to deepening tension where Jews were a minority and Arabs the majority.
- Creation of Israel: In 1947, the UN proposed splitting Palestine between Arabs and Jews. Consequently Jews declared Israel's independence in 1948.
- Arabs rejected the plan, leading to multiple wars.
- 1967 Middle East war: About a million Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem came under Israel's control.
- Yom Kippur/Ramadan War of 1973: It led to Camp David Accords in 1978 which marked the first instance of an Arab country recognizing Israel as a state.
- Israel returned Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in 1979 however still has overall control of the West Bank.
