Above: Map of Israel and neighboring Countries (click map to enlarge)

In 1967 war broke out between Israel and the combined forces of Egypt, Jordan and Syria. The latter group was aided by Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Algeria. Israel came out victorious. The war lasted for 132 hours and 30 minutes – that is a little less than six days. In two of the three fronts the duration was even shorter. Only on the Syrian front did the war last for six days.

Above: Israeli army advancing to Golan Heights (June 1967)

Although Arab power had not become depleted they were forced to surrender for two main reasons. Population was thin in the two of the lost territories – Sinai (Egypt) and Golan Heights (Syria) and of the remaining, Gaza Strip (Egypt) and the West Bank (Jordan) were already under occupation. Secondly Israel had come within striking distance of the capitals of each of the three countries – 100 km from Cairo and 50 km each from Damascus and Amman.

Above: Israel troops advancing toward enemy’s territory in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip

The swift decisive war broke the morale of the Arab world. Of all the battles hitherto fought with Israel this was the most dramatic. It had far reaching consequences both internally on the socio-economic-political field as well as on the international stage where relations with the West became tensed. History is not likely to easily forget the highlighting of Israel superiority over Arab weakness.

Above: Egyptian Air Force strike Israel troops near Suez Canal

Israel made considerable territorial gains. Sinai and Gaza Strip were taken from Egypt, East Jerusalem and West Bank from Jordan and the Golan Heights from Syria. The closure of the Suez Canal for eight years affected the world in general especially as this led to rise in freight prices. It had a snowballing effect.

Below: Map showing territorial gain in the whole duration of the Six-day war (click map to enlarge