Forty-Five Years Since the October War

The October Arab-Israeli War of 1973

The October Arab-Israeli War, also known as the Yom Kippur War, began on October 6, 1973, when Arab coalition forces launched a surprise attack on Israeli territory. The war lasted for 19 days and resulted in a ceasefire that has held to this day.

Background

The October War was the fourth Arab-Israeli war since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The previous three wars had all resulted in Israeli victories, and the Arab states were determined to reverse this trend. The war was also seen as an attempt by the Arab states to regain territory that had been lost to Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War.

The War

The war began with a surprise attack by Egyptian and Syrian forces on the Israeli-occupied Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights, respectively. The Israelis were initially caught off guard, but they quickly rallied and launched a counteroffensive. The fighting was fierce, and both sides suffered heavy losses.

The Ceasefire

The war ended on October 25, 1973, with a ceasefire that was brokered by the United Nations. The ceasefire has held to this day, and the two sides have been engaged in peace negotiations ever since.

The Legacy of the War

The October War was a turning point in the Arab-Israeli conflict. It marked the first time that the Arab states had been able to inflict a significant defeat on Israel. The war also led to a reassessment of the balance of power in the Middle East, and it helped to pave the way for the peace negotiations that have been ongoing ever since.