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 24 May 2024, the ICJ orders Israel to halt immediately its offensive and any other action in Rafah that may impose conditions bringing about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, in whole or in part.
The order also requires keeping the Rafah crossing open for urgently needed assistance at scale. It strengthens provisional measures in South Africa v. Israel; it is not a merits judgment on genocide.
On 7 May 2024, the Israeli army takes control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border during its offensive in the area.
The UN reports the crossing closed to people and goods. Civilian displacement and obstacles to aid and fuel entry worsen the humanitarian crisis. Taking the crossing does not establish that the whole city is then under Israeli control.
On 1 April 2024, Israeli strikes kill seven World Central Kitchen team members working on an aid delivery mission in Gaza.
The organization suspends operations and announces their resumption on 28 April. The attack and subsequent investigations raise questions about protection of humanitarian convoys. Australia’s special adviser report examines Israel’s response; it is not an international criminal judgment.
On 25 March 2024, the Security Council adopts Resolution 2728 demanding an immediate Ramadan ceasefire leading to a lasting truce.
The text also demands immediate and unconditional hostage release and humanitarian access. The United States abstains. This international demand must not be presented as evidence that fighting actually stopped.
On 26 January 2024, the International Court of Justice orders provisional measures against Israel in South Africa’s case under the Genocide Convention.
The order addresses prevention of prohibited acts, punishment of incitement and improved humanitarian assistance. It does not decide whether genocide has occurred and does not at this stage order the general ceasefire requested. Israel disputes the allegations.
On 24 November 2023, a pause in fighting begins in Gaza, enabling releases of hostages held by Hamas and other groups and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The ICRC acts as a neutral intermediary for transfers. Foreign nationals are also released. The agreement opens a humanitarian window, but this temporary pause does not end the war.
The Israeli military announces an expansion of its ground operations in Gaza on 27 October 2023, following several limited incursions.
Troops sent in that evening remain in the field the next day as bombardment intensifies and communications go down. On 28 October, Benjamin Netanyahu describes the offensive as a second phase of the war, aimed at Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and the return of hostages. Humanitarian agencies struggle to contact their teams.
On 9 October 2023, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announces a complete siege of Gaza, halting supplies during the military campaign launched after the 7 October attacks.
OCHA reports the announced cutoff of electricity, fuel, food and water. Bombardment and displacement increase protection and relief needs. The announcement is distinct from the blockade imposed in 2007 and tightens an already highly restricted situation.
On 7 October 2023, Hamas-led armed groups attack communities and military sites in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages to Gaza.
Civilians are massacred in homes and at a festival; security personnel are also among those killed and abducted. Human Rights Watch documents war crimes and crimes against humanity. Figures used here reflect later findings rather than the day’s initial reports.
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.
