1948 Arab Israeli War

Guide Note

The 1948 Arab Israeli War began on May 15, 1948, marking the end of the British Mandate of Palestine and ended on July 20, 1949, with the signing of the final armistice agreement with Syria. Though the war established the external boundaries of the new state of Israel, these borders, the legitimacy of the state of Israel and the refugee crisis that followed the war remain key contentions in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. As a direct result of the war, a United Nations estimated 711,000 Palestinian Refugees and 10,000 Jewish refugees were created.

Fast Facts

1. Duration: May, 1948 to March, 1949
2. Called the "War of Independence" or "War of Liberation" by Israel
3. Called al Nakba by Palestinians
4. Israeli casualties: 6,373 killed
5. Arab casualties: Between 10,000 and 15,000

1. The Great Arab Revolt of 1936–1939 encouraged expansion of Jewish militias and introduced the idea of partition
2. By 1945 surrounding countries had gained independence
3. The United Kingdom encouraged the formation of the Arab League in 1945
4. The 1947 partition plan implemented by the United Nations was unsatisfactory to Arabs, who boycotted discussions
5. Violence broke out almost immediately
6. Amid escalating tensions, Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948

1. Officially ended British Mandate of Palestine
2. Established the independent state of Israel
3. Created the Palestinian Refugee crises and Right of Return debate
4. Established Israel as a tactical and military force in the region

1. Total force: 29,677 to 115,000 by 1949
2. Causalities: 6,373 killed including soldiers and civillians
3. Led to the creation of Israel's military, the IDF
4. 10,000 Jews were forced from their homes in Palestine by the war
5. 700,000 settled in the newly formed Israel

1. Total force: Estimated over 60,000
2. Coalition of Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia
3. Casualties: between 10,000 and 15,000 killed
4. 400 Arab villages totally depopulated as a result
5. Created 711,000 Palestinian Refugees