56 Years of Bleeding: ‘Naksa’ Marks the Ongoing Wound of Palestine
Today, June 5th marks the 56th anniversary of the Naksa or “Setback” in English, which marked the completion of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, the Golan Heights from Syria, and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, an event which was followed the Israel and Egypt, Syria and Jordan conflict dubbed the “Six-Day War” in 1967.
Despite international condemnation of its actions and United Nations resolutions opposing its unlawful expansionism, the occupation refused to be swayed, continuing a flurry of activity – seizing and plundering land for the purpose of establishing settlements. Its refusal to accept the logic of peace and disregard for the principles embodied in the U.N. charter made it clear that the occupation was determined to pursue its aggressive agenda.
In a surprising and unexpected move, the Israeli military, with the backing of the United States of America, launched a full-fledged attack on the morning of June 5, 1967 on Egypt, Syria and Jordan, while the French government and other international players attempted to negotiate a diplomatic agreement to prevent war and halt military preparations. Despite their best efforts, the Israeli military decided to take matters into their own hands and launch a “pre-emptive” strike.
In 1967, following the withdrawal of Jordanian forces and their return to the east of the Jordan River, Israeli occupation forces seized control of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, significantly reducing the country’s border with Jordan from 480 km to 83 km (including 5 km along the Dead Sea).
Israel has appropriated substantial wealth from the West Bank, in particular its water resources, and has initiated projects aimed at “Judaizing” Jerusalem with methodical precision. It has seized vast sections of the West Bank, offering strategic and military gain as well as protection from any potential threat posed by an armed and unified Arab force in the West Bank, a vital region in the history of Palestine.
As a result of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, sweeping changes were seen on the international stage. The UN Security Council passed Resolution 242 to bring about peace and understanding between warring parties, leading to the Three Arab No’s Summit in Khartoum. Regionally, tens of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank were displaced and entire villages were wiped out. Additionally, the Israeli government established several settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The 1967 war brought devastation and destruction far beyond what most could imagine. According to estimates, between 15,000 to 25,000 Arabs lost their lives during the course of this devastating conflict, in contrast to the 800 reported casualties seen on the Israeli side. 70–80% of military equipment in the Arab countries were destroyed, and the scale of human tragedy was only amplified when Palestinian researcher Aref Al-Aref reported the number of arrested Palestinians reaching more than 6,000 as a result of the war, with 1,000 deported out of the country. Additionally, President Gamal Abdel Nasser reported that the number of Egyptian prisoners might have reached up to 11,000. As documented by Ahmed Al-Alami in his book “War 67,” more than 200 houses were blown up in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The uprisings of fedayeen and Palestinian resistance against the Israeli military occupation, in spite of the crushing defeats of Arab armies on all fronts, became ubiquitous in this region, bringing new, extreme forms of Israeli oppression to the Palestinian people. From the deportation of city mayors and university staff to the evacuation of residents and the imprisonment of thousands, the Israeli military forces sought to impose their laws and rules on the Palestinian population.
Legal Reality after the War
In the wake of the 1967 war, the Israeli occupation took complete authority over the legislative, executive, and judicial sectors in the Palestinian territories. This was established with the release of Military Order No. 2 of 1967, which stated that any regulations already in effect in the occupied areas would be eliminated if they conflicted with the orders put forth by the Israeli government.
Since the announcement of Israeli Military Order No. 347 in 1981, the so-called Civil Administration took over the authority for all legal and administrative matters. This order established the military courts and committees, investing them with full responsibility for all criminal cases, land disputes, tax payments and the use of natural resources in the region. Therefore, Israel’s military orders control all aspects of life in Palestine.
Israel’s ongoing restriction of Palestinian movements and rights within the Occupied Territories has been met with international concern. A series of military orders issued by Israeli command centers in the West Bank and Gaza have effectively bypassed the application of international law and turned Palestinian detainees into enemies of the state, often subjecting them to harsh punishments for minor offenses. Despite the Israeli government’s adamant refusal to recognize Palestinian prisoners of war, the fact that these actions are in direct violation of international laws obligating occupying countries to apply such laws to the occupied population remains a matter of international alarm.
Israel made a bold move when they launched a surprise air strike on the military airfields of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. This surprise attack gave the Israeli military air force an unprecedented level of control over the battlefield – an advantage they maintained for the duration of the war.
Between June 5 and 8, the Israeli occupation forces violently carried out a major offensive against Egypt, while launching a secondary assault against Jordan. Simultaneously, the Israeli military utilized artillery and air strikes to launch an active defense operation against Syria, targeting Syrian army positions in the Golan Heights for the entirety of those two days.
On June 10, Israel disregarded a United Nations ceasefire resolution and intensified military activity, with fresh reserve forces particularly directed toward Jordanian forces.
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