History of Palestine
An overview of the historical context of Palestine with interactive maps and verified information from trusted sources.
Current Situation
The Palestinian territories remain fragmented, with ongoing occupation and settlement expansion.
Key Points:
- Gaza Strip under blockade since 2007, with severe humanitarian consequences.
- West Bank increasingly fragmented by settlements, bypass roads, and the separation barrier.
- East Jerusalem effectively annexed by Israel, though not recognized internationally.
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Ottoman Period
1516-1917
Palestine was under Ottoman rule for four centuries, during which it was divided into several districts and governed as part of Greater Syria.
British Mandate
1920-1948
Following World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain a mandate to administer Palestine, during which Jewish immigration increased significantly.
1948 War and Nakba
1947-1949
The first Arab-Israeli War resulted in the establishment of Israel and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, known as the Nakba.
1967 War and Occupation
1967-Present
The Six-Day War resulted in Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and other territories, significantly altering the region's geopolitical landscape.
Oslo Accords
1993-2000
The Oslo Accords established the Palestinian Authority and were intended to lead to a final peace agreement, but ultimately failed to resolve the conflict.
Current Situation
2000-Present
The current situation is characterized by ongoing occupation, settlement expansion, "The current situation is characterized by ongoing occupation, settlement expansion, periodic outbreaks of violence, and failed peace initiatives.
The Ottoman Empire conquered Palestine in 1516, defeating the Mamluk Sultanate at the Battle of Marj Dabiq. Palestine was divided into several administrative districts (sanjaks) and governed as part of the province of Damascus-Syria.
During Ottoman rule, Palestine was predominantly rural with a population that was mostly Muslim Arabs, with significant Christian and Jewish minorities. The Jewish population was small but began to grow in the late 19th century with early Zionist immigration.
The Tanzimat reforms of the mid-19th century brought significant changes to Palestine, including improved legal status for non-Muslims, land reform, and increased foreign influence. European powers established consulates in Jerusalem, and Christian missionary activity increased.
The late Ottoman period saw the beginning of Zionist immigration to Palestine, with the First Aliyah beginning in 1882. This period also saw the growth of Arab nationalism and the beginnings of tension between Arab and Jewish communities.
Ottoman rule in Palestine ended during World War I when British forces under General Edmund Allenby captured Jerusalem in December 1917.
Key Facts
- 1Ottoman rule lasted for 401 years (1516-1917)
- 2Palestine was divided into several administrative districts (sanjaks)
- 3The population was predominantly Arab Muslim with Christian and Jewish minorities
- 4The Tanzimat reforms improved the legal status of non-Muslims
- 5The First Aliyah (Jewish immigration wave) began in 1882