This dossier traces the modern origins and major stages of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict from the late nineteenth century to today: national movements, the British Mandate, Israel’s creation and the Nakba, wars, occupation and settlements, Palestinian mobilization, peace efforts, political divisions, humanitarian crises and international proceedings. Each published occurrence includes its sources and distinguishes established facts, attributed statements and judicial findings. The timeline needs further detail on local settlement developments, some regional episodes and negotiations; it does not claim to catalogue every incident.
As of 4 November 2026, the dossier contains 109 dated occurrences beginning in 1882. Following the ceasefire that took effect on 10 October 2025 and the release of the last twenty living Israeli hostages on 13 October, entries for October and November 2026 document continuing strikes and severe humanitarian difficulties in Gaza. Recent UN reports address displacement, access to health care and waste collection. Casualty figures remain attributed to their sources, with verification limits stated. The West Bank situation and regional developments require more detailed coverage.
On 11 May 2022, Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is killed while covering an Israeli operation in Jenin in the occupied West Bank.
Her colleague Ali Sammoudi is wounded. The UN human rights office subsequently concludes that the shots hitting the journalists came from Israeli forces and calls for a criminal investigation. That later finding is distinguished from conflicting accounts at the time of her death.
On 21 May 2021, a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza takes effect after hostilities that began on 10 May.
Egyptian mediation follows eleven days of Israeli strikes and Palestinian rocket fire. Displaced people begin returning, but destruction, humanitarian needs and tensions in Jerusalem and the West Bank do not disappear with the truce.
On 15 September 2020, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain sign normalization texts in Washington under Donald Trump’s sponsorship.
The accords open official relations between Israel and the two Gulf states. They are not an Israeli–Palestinian agreement and do not resolve occupation or final status. They change the Arab diplomatic setting in which Palestinians pursue their claims.
On 30 March 2018, Palestinians begin demonstrations near the fence separating Gaza from Israel, demanding refugee return and an end to the blockade.
Israeli fire kills and injures protesters on the first day. Human Rights Watch denounces unlawful lethal force against demonstrators posing no imminent threat to life. Protests continue weekly; this attributed finding is not a criminal judgment.
On 6 December 2017, Donald Trump announces US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and preparations to move the embassy from Tel Aviv.
The US decision does not internationally settle the city’s sovereignty boundaries. The UN maintains that Jerusalem is a final-status issue to be resolved through negotiations. The embassy’s actual move follows in 2018.
On 23 December 2016, the Security Council adopts Resolution 2334, with the United States abstaining.
The text states that Israeli settlements in territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and demands an end to settlement activity. Adoption establishes the Council’s position; it does not show that settlement activity actually stopped.
On 1 April 2015, Palestine becomes the 123rd state party to the Rome Statute, the International Criminal Court’s founding treaty.
Accession brings international criminal justice rights and obligations. A separate declaration accepts Court jurisdiction from 13 June 2014. Membership does not automatically produce an investigation, warrant or conviction.
On 26 August 2014, an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire ends the main phase of hostilities in Gaza and Israel.
The July–August campaign includes Israeli strikes and a ground offensive as well as Palestinian rocket and mortar fire. OCHA describes extensive civilian losses and destruction in Gaza. Ending the fighting does not resolve access and reconstruction issues.
On 29 November 2012, the General Assembly grants Palestine non-member observer state status through Resolution 67/19.
The vote is 138 in favour, nine against and 41 abstentions. The decision upgrades its international status without admission to full UN membership or an end to occupation.
On 21 November 2012, Israel and Hamas accept an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire after eight days of hostilities.
Escalation from 14 to 21 November includes Israeli strikes in Gaza and rocket fire towards Israel. The truce ends this round of fighting without resolving the blockade, Palestinian division or the underlying conflict.
On 31 October 2011, UNESCO’s General Conference votes to admit Palestine by 107 votes to 14, with 52 abstentions.
Membership then requires the prescribed constitutional formalities. The step strengthens Palestinian international representation in education, science and culture. It is distinct from the status granted by the UN General Assembly in 2012.
