Israel Withdraws from Lebanon
May 30, 2000
Israeli military forces retreat from southern Lebanon due to extended conflict with the anti-Israeli faction, Hezbollah, but hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah continue.
Camp David
July 30, 2000
U.S. President Bill Clinton acts as mediator in peace talks between Israel and Palestine. Peace terms fall through at the Camp David negotiations, reigniting hostilities.
Taba Summit
January 30, 2001
Talks falter between Israel and Palestine. Israel resumes blockade of Palestinian territories after hostilities resume.
Violence in Ramallah
December 30, 2001
Israeli troops surround Ramallah after wave of Palestinian attacks inside Israel.
The Arab Peace Initiative
March 1, 2002
The Beirut Declaration, more widely known as the Arab Peace Initiative, is endorsed by the Arab League to bring cooperation between Arab states as well as a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel rejects the resolution plan.
Israel on the Defensive
March 30, 2002
After series of Palestinian suicide attacks in Israel, Israel launches Operation Defensive Shield in the West Bank, the largest Israeli military action in the area since 1967.
Israel & Hezbollah Fight
September 1, 2003
Hezbollah and Israel exchange artillery attacks, bombings, and gunfire, 3 years after Israel retreated from southern Lebanon.
Resistance to the Wall
February 8, 2004
Israeli civil rights groups take legal action against West Bank “security barrier,” claiming that it infringes on Palestinian civil rights.
West Bank Wall Deemed Illegal
July 8, 2004
The Israeli supreme court and the International Court of Justice determine the West Bank security barrier is illegal and order for it to be torn down.
Mahmoud Abbas Elected
January 11, 2005
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is elected as president of Palestine. He and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announce suspension of hostilities, with Israel withdrawing its troops from Palestinian lands
Israel Withdraws from Gaza
September 30, 2005
Israel withdraws Jewish settlers and military from Gaza, but maintains control of airspace, coast, and borders.
Hamas Elected
July 22, 2006
The Palestinian militant movement Hamas wins the majority of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Hamas is decidedly antagonistic towards Israel and is willing to fight for the creation of an Islamic state of Palestine.
Hezbollah Attacks Israel
July 29, 2006
Hezbollah attacks Israel from southern Lebanon, killing Israeli soldiers and abducting two prisoners of war.
Israel-Hezbollah War
July 30, 2006
Israel responds to Hezbollah assaults with 34-day war. 1,100 Lebanese and 160 Israelis are killed, and 1 million Lebanese are displaced. Hezbollah’s fighters became heroes to anti-Israeli sympathizers throughout Middle East.
Abdullah Criticizes the U.S. & Israel
August 30, 2006
King Abdullah II criticizes the U.S. and Israel for conflict in Lebanon.
Israel Bombs Syria
September 30, 2007
Israel launches airstrike against northern Syria site said to be a nuclear facility.
Israel-Hezbollah Prisoner Exchange
July 28, 2008
Israel and Hezbollah agree to exchange Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners, along with the remains of deceased fighters, for the remains of fallen Israeli soldiers.
Gaza War Ends
January 31, 2009
The Gaza War, comes to an end between Hamas and Israel with a unilateral ceasefire.
Right Wing Party Takes Parliament
February 28, 2009
The right wing Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, wins majority of parliamentary elections.
Talks in Palestine
February 28, 2010
Fatah and Hamas resume talks on reconciliation. Direct talks resume between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, but are hampered by disagreement over settlements.
9 Turkish Pro-Palestinians Killed
May 31, 2010
9 Turkish pro-Palestinians are killed when several civilian ships attempt to break Gaza blockade as part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. Israel apologizes to Turkey in 2013.
Prisoner Exchange
October 31, 2011
Israel and Hamas exchange prisoners, one Israeli soldier for 1,027 Palestinians, brokered by Egypt and Germany.
Hamas and Fatah Make Peace
May 31, 2012
Rival factions Hamas and Fatah’s interim government both sign agreement to pave the way for new elections. The government agrees to a non-violent settlement with Israel.
Israel Attacks Gaza
November 30, 2012
After months of escalating rocket attacks, Israel launches military attacks into Gaza.
Syrian Civil War Reaches Golan Heights
May 31, 2013
Israeli and Syrian troops exchange fire as Syrian civil war reaches Golan Heights.
Orthodox Protests
March 31, 2014
Mass protests by Orthodox Jews against legislation ending exemptions for religious students from military service.
Israel Launches Air Strikes
January 31, 2015
Israel launches air strikes on Syrian side of Golan Heights, killing Hezbollah fighters and an Iranian general. Clashes ensue along Israeli-Lebanese border.
Netanyahu Elected
March 31, 2015
Benjamin Netanyahu is elected as Israel’s prime minister and forms new coalition government.
New Hardline Defense Minister
May 27, 2016
Hardliner Avigdor Lieberman is named Defense Minister. He is known for calling for the beheading of Palestinians.
Israel Starts West Bank Wall Construction
July 1, 2016
Israel starts construction of barrier wall in and around the West Bank, ostensibly to stop armed Palestinians from entering Israel, breaking pre-1967 ceasefire agreements.
Israel passes a controversial law on West Bank Settlements
February 7, 2017
Israel’s parliament passed a law that legalizes almost 4,000 settler homes built on privately owned Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. Under the legislation, Palestinian land owners will be given financial compensation or alternative land.
President Trump recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
December 5, 2017
President Trump formally recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and sets a plan in motion to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
U.S. embassy move triggers deadly protests in Gaza
May 14, 2018
Following six weeks of protests, violence erupted in Gaza after President Trump officially moved the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. More than 50 Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes on the border fence.
Israeli-Gaza border violence worst since 2014 war
July 14, 2018
The Israeli military carried out its largest airstrike campaign in Gaza since the 2014 war as Hamas militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel throughout the day, threatening to trigger an all-out war after weeks of growing tensions along the volatile border.
