The Six-Day War erupted on June 5, 1967 when Israel launched preemptive strikes on Egyptian airfields, followed by ground operations. Within six days, Israel occupied the Egyptian-controlled Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula, Jordanian-controlled West Bank and East Jerusalem, and Syrian Golan Heights. The rapid Israeli victory fundamentally transformed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by bringing all of historic Palestine under Israeli control.
Mass displacement began immediately. As Israeli forces advanced into the West Bank, panic spread among Palestinians remembering the 1948 Nakba. Estimates of those who fled or were expelled range from 280,000 (Israeli sources) to 400,000+ (Palestinian and UN sources). Approximately 175,000 were refugees from 1948 being displaced a second time. The displacement was not solely a byproduct of combat—Israeli authorities issued military orders preventing return and systematically demolished entire villages.
Three villages in the Latrun area (Imwas, Yalo, and Beit Nuba) were completely destroyed by Israeli forces, their 10,000 residents expelled. In Jerusalem's Old City, the Moroccan Quarter was bulldozed days after occupation to create a plaza at the Western Wall. UN Security Council Resolution 242 called for 'withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied' and for 'achieving a just settlement of the refugee problem,' but Israel has maintained occupation for over 55 years. The 1967 displacement and subsequent occupation created the framework for the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Palestinians Displaced 300,000-400,000
280,000 (Israeli sources) to 400,000+ (UN/Palestinian sources)
Second-Time Displaced ~175,000
1948 refugees displaced again from West Bank/Gaza camps
Villages Completely Destroyed 3 villages
Imwas, Yalo, Beit Nuba (Latrun area); ~10,000 residents expelled
Territory Occupied 70,000 km²
West Bank (5,655 km²), Gaza (365 km²), Golan (1,800 km²), Sinai (60,000 km²)
Moshe Dayan
“After capturing Old City, proclaimed: 'We have returned to the holiest of our holy places, never to part from it again.' Later reflected on displacement: 'We came to this country which was already populated by Arabs, and we are establishing...a Jewish state here.' Regarding Latrun villages: 'We had to destroy three Arab villages in the Latrun area.'”
Amos Elon
“Witnessed destruction of Imwas village June 1967: 'Military bulldozers were finishing their work...not a stone was left standing...the wells were capped with concrete.' Described residents 'trudging down the main highway to Ramallah' with belongings.”
Haaretz, June 1967; later compiled in 'The Israelis' (1971)
Hussein Musa (Imwas resident)
“Resident of Imwas village: 'The Israeli soldiers came and told us we had three hours to leave...we took what we could carry. When we looked back from the hills, they were destroying everything with bulldozers—our homes, our mosque, our cemetery. Everything.'”
Tom Segev
“In '1967: Israel, the War, and the Year that Transformed the Middle East': 'Immediately after the war, Israel implemented measures that made refugees' return impossible.' Documented military orders preventing return, identity card confiscations. 'The government's position was that most of the refugees should not be allowed to return.'”
1967: Israel, the War, and the Year that Transformed the Middle East' (2007)
UN Secretary-General U Thant
“Report to Security Council: 'The displacement of the civilian population as a result of the conflict continues to cause great human suffering and poses a serious threat to peace and security.' Called for allowing refugees to return or receive compensation.”
International Committee of the Red Cross
“ICRC stated Fourth Geneva Convention applicable to occupied territories. Documented mass displacement, house demolitions, prevention of return. Called on Israel to allow refugees to return and respect civilian protections under international humanitarian law.”
Systematic Village Destruction
Three entire villages (Imwas, Yalo, Beit Nuba) demolished within days of occupation. Residents given 1-3 hours to evacuate. All homes, mosques, churches, cemeteries systematically destroyed. Total 10,000 residents expelled; area converted to Canada Park. No compensation paid.
Moroccan Quarter Demolition
Historic 770-year-old Jerusalem neighborhood bulldozed 48 hours after occupation. 135 houses, two mosques, zawiya (Islamic school) destroyed. 650 residents given 3 hours to evacuate. Afdal Mosque (12th century) and other heritage sites demolished.
Prevention of Return
Military orders and identity card system prevented displaced Palestinians from returning home—direct violation of international humanitarian law. Fourth Geneva Convention Article 49: occupying power may not forcibly transfer or deport protected persons.
Illegal Annexation
East Jerusalem formally annexed June 28, 1967 (not recognized internationally). Golan Heights annexed 1981. UN Security Council declared annexations 'null and void.' Transfer of Israeli civilians into occupied territories violates Geneva Convention Article 49.
Mass Displacement
300,000-400,000 Palestinians displaced during and immediately after war. Many forced out through psychological warfare (radio broadcasts), prevention of return, house demolitions. Approximately half were second-time refugees (displaced from 1948).
Extrajudicial Killings
Multiple documented cases of POW killings and civilian deaths. Egyptian POWs killed at al-Arish. Systematic documentation prevented by denial of ICRC access during conflict.
Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) - Violations
Article 49: 'Individual or mass forcible transfers...of protected persons from occupied territory...are prohibited regardless of their motive.' Displacement and prevention of return violate this core protection.
UN Security Council Resolutions
Resolution 242 (1967): Called for 'withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied' and 'just settlement of refugee problem.' Remains foundation of peace process but unimplemented.
International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (2004)
Wall Advisory Opinion: ICJ ruled Israeli construction of separation barrier in West Bank illegal. Reaffirmed Fourth Geneva Convention applies to occupied Palestinian territories.
Ongoing Occupation - Modern Assessment
Prolonged occupation: At 55+ years, Israeli occupation is longest military occupation in modern history. International law views prolonged occupation as raising additional legal concerns.
Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) - Violations
Article 49(6): 'The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.' Israeli settlement enterprise violates this provision (over 700,000 settlers as of 2024).
UN Security Council Resolutions
Resolution 252 (1968): Declared Israeli annexation measures in Jerusalem 'invalid.' Called on Israel to rescind all actions to change status of city.
International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (2004)
Settlements: ICJ confirmed Israeli settlements violate Article 49(6) of Geneva Convention. Called on Israel to cease settlement activity and dismantle existing settlements.
Ongoing Occupation - Modern Assessment
Annexation de facto: While Israel never formally annexed West Bank, settlement enterprise and administrative integration constitute de facto annexation in violation of international law.
Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) - Violations
Article 53: 'Any destruction by the Occupying Power of...property...is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.' Demolition of Latrun villages and Moroccan Quarter lacked military necessity.
UN Security Council Resolutions
Resolution 298 (1971): Deplored Israeli failure to comply with previous resolutions regarding Jerusalem.
International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (2004)
Occupation obligations: ICJ held Israel bound by international humanitarian law and human rights law in occupied territories.
Ongoing Occupation - Modern Assessment
Population transfer: Transfer of over 700,000 Israeli civilians into occupied territory constitutes systematic violation of Geneva Convention Article 49(6).
Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) - Violations
Article 147 (Grave Breaches): Extensive destruction of property not justified by military necessity constitutes grave breach (war crime).
UN Security Council Resolutions
Resolution 465 (1980): Determined that Israeli settlements in occupied territories 'have no legal validity' and constitute 'flagrant violation' of Geneva Convention.
UN Security Council Resolutions
Resolution 478 (1980): Declared Israel's 'Basic Law' declaring Jerusalem its 'eternal capital' null and void.
Immediate Impact (1967-1973)
Creation of modern Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories
Long-term Significance (1973-Present)
Occupation continues 55+ years later—longest military occupation in modern history
Accountability & International Law
✗ No Israeli officials prosecuted for displacement or village destruction
Immediate Impact (1967-1973)
300,000-400,000 Palestinians displaced; approximately 175,000 were 1948 refugees displaced second time
Long-term Significance (1973-Present)
Over 700,000 Israeli settlers in West Bank and East Jerusalem (2024)
Accountability & International Law
✗ Israel never withdrew from occupied territories despite UN Resolution 242
Immediate Impact (1967-1973)
Israel gained control over all of historic Palestine for first time since 1948
Long-term Significance (1973-Present)
Occupation shapes every aspect of Palestinian life: movement, economy, governance, security
Accountability & International Law
✗ Displaced Palestinians never allowed to return; no compensation paid
Immediate Impact (1967-1973)
UN Security Council Resolution 242 became foundation of peace process
Long-term Significance (1973-Present)
Occupation central to Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader Middle East instability
Accountability & International Law
✗ Destroyed villages (Latrun) never rebuilt; area converted to Canada Park
Immediate Impact (1967-1973)
Beginning of Israeli settlement enterprise in occupied territories
Long-term Significance (1973-Present)
International consensus: occupation illegal; settlements constitute war crimes
Accountability & International Law
✗ Settlement enterprise expanded massively despite international law violations
Immediate Impact (1967-1973)
Palestinian national movement shifted focus from refugee return to liberation of occupied territories
Long-term Significance (1973-Present)
Multiple peace initiatives (Camp David, Oslo, Roadmap) failed to end occupation
Accountability & International Law
✓ International consensus: occupation illegal and must end
Long-term Significance (1973-Present)
Two-state solution increasingly questioned due to settlement expansion
Accountability & International Law
✓ International Court of Justice (2004): occupation violates international law
Long-term Significance (1973-Present)
October 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent Gaza war partly rooted in unresolved 1967 occupation
Accountability & International Law
✓ UN Security Council resolutions remain on record condemning violations
Accountability & International Law
✓ International Criminal Court investigating alleged crimes in occupied territories