Understand the Situation
Historical Background
1917 — The Balfour Declaration: the United Kingdom expresses support for establishing a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, then under Ottoman control.
1920–1948 — British Mandate over Palestine, marked by growing tensions between Jewish and Arab communities.
1947 — The UN adopts the Partition Plan for Palestine (Resolution 181), proposing the creation of a Jewish state and an Arab state.
1948 — Proclamation of the State of Israel. War breaks out with neighboring Arab countries. Around 700,000 Palestinians are displaced or flee their homes — the Nakba.
1967 — The Six-Day War: Israel occupies the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and Sinai.
1987–1993 — The First Intifada.
1993–1995 — The Oslo Accords: mutual recognition between Israel and the PLO, creation of the Palestinian Authority.
2000–2005 — The Second Intifada.
2005 — Israel withdraws settlers and troops from Gaza.
2006–2007 — Hamas wins Palestinian legislative elections, then takes control of Gaza. An Israeli-Egyptian blockade is imposed.
2008–2021 — Several major armed conflicts between Israel and Gaza.
Since October 2023 — A Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 is followed by a large-scale war in Gaza, with a heavy human toll.
The Situation Today
Since October 2023, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank has significantly worsened.
- Large-scale humanitarian crisis: limited access to water, food, healthcare, electricity
- Massive internal displacement
- Significant destruction of civilian infrastructure
- Regular alerts from the UN and NGOs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nakba?
The Nakba (“catastrophe” in Arabic) refers to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in 1948, during the creation of the State of Israel.
What does “occupied territories” mean?
The West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, occupied by Israel since 1967, governed by international law.
What’s the difference between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority?
The Palestinian Authority administers certain areas of the West Bank since Oslo. Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007. The two hold distinct political positions.
What does international law say about settlements?
The Fourth Geneva Convention and several UN resolutions consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal.
How can I help concretely?
Donations, petitions, events, sharing verified information — see the Take Action page.