Since its establishment in May 1948, the State of Israel has facedmajor military invasions and wars initiated by neighbouring Arab states and non-state militant groups, along with numerous smaller-scale conflicts and, most recently, the 7 October 2023 attacks. [1, 2, 3]
Major recognized wars or full-scale invasions of Israeli-held territory include:
- 1948 Arab–Israeli War (War of Independence): Immediately following the declaration of independence, regular forces from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq invaded..
- Six-Day War (1967): Israel launched a preemptive strike following the massing of Arab troops and a naval blockade, leading to a war with Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.
- Yom Kippur War (1973): A surprise joint invasion of Israeli-occupied Sinai and the Golan Heights by Egypt and Syria.
- 1982 Lebanon War (First Lebanon War): Israel invaded Lebanon in response to attacks by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) operating from that territory.
- 2006 Lebanon War (Second Lebanon War): A conflict sparked by a Hezbollah cross-border attack in which soldiers were captured and killed.
- October 7 Attacks (2023): Hamas militants launched a surprise attack against communities in southern Israel, initiating the ongoing Gaza war. [1, 2, 3, 4]
