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Could the armies of three Arab countries collapse before a single army in just six days? Could an entire nation be defeated and lose its territories in less than a week? The 1967 setback, or as it is called, the Six-Day War, was a decisive turning point in the history of the modern Arab world. What happened in those few days? How did this great defeat occur? Who is responsible for this catastrophe? Let us delve into the details of this story to understand what truly wounded us.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the region was experiencing increasing conflicts between Arabs and Israel. Egypt, led by Gamal Abdel Nasser, was raising the banner of Arab nationalism and supporting liberation movements, while Syria was facing significant challenges over the Golan Heights. Jordan controlled the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where millions of Palestinians lived under its rule. In contrast, Israel was preparing with great strength, supported by the latest weapons from the West and advanced intelligence from the United States and France.
Tensions escalated sharply in May 1967. At the beginning of the month, Abdel Nasser received intelligence reports from the Soviet Union about Israel's readiness for an attack on Syria. Although these reports were not accurate, in response, Abdel Nasser ordered an increase in forces in Sinai and asked the United Nations peacekeeping forces to withdraw from the area. He then announced the closure of the Strait of Tiran to Israeli ships, a vital maritime passage for Israel, which the latter considered a de facto declaration of war.
Arab media at that time was boosting the morale of the masses, and enthusiastic voices were emanating from radio stations, announcing imminent victory over Israel. However, on the ground, the Arab armies were not in a state of real readiness, and there were significant problems in coordination between Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, in addition to weak unified leadership.
On June 5, 1967, Israel launched a swift air attack, codenamed Operation Moked. More than 100 Israeli aircraft took off and flew at low altitudes to avoid radar detection, targeting Egyptian airports. Suddenly, and in just a few hours, more than 90% of the Egyptian air force was destroyed while it was on the ground. This attack was the knockout blow that allowed Israel to control the skies and deprived Egypt of any air defense or counterattack.
After that, Israel launched attacks on the Syrian and Jordanian fronts, exploiting the state of confusion and weak coordination among the Arab countries. The Arab armies were scattered, and political and military decisions were delayed, allowing Israel to advance rapidly. In just six days, Israel controlled vast areas of land. Egypt lost the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and Syria lost the strategic Golan Heights.
Human losses were heavy, with tens of thousands of soldiers killed and thousands captured, while millions of Palestinians were displaced, and the suffering of refugees began anew. The setback was not just a military defeat but a deep psychological and political crisis for the Arabs. Gamal Abdel Nasser announced his resignation, but the masses took to the streets in demonstrations demanding his return, which indeed happened. Nevertheless, questions piled up: Who is responsible? Was the Arab leadership ready? Was there sufficient planning, or did political arrogance and grand media rhetoric mask weak preparations?
The setback revealed many weaknesses: the lack of military and political coordination between Arab countries, weak intelligence, confusion in decision-making, in addition to insufficient international support for the Arabs. In contrast, Israel demonstrated a high capacity for planning, tactics, and flexibility in execution.
After the war ended, the Arab world witnessed significant political changes. The Palestinian resistance movement was established in a more organized manner, and the region witnessed internal divisions. There were also intensive efforts to rebuild armies and strengthen defensive capabilities. Furthermore, the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights remains a sensitive point to this day, making the Palestinian issue a central focus of the ongoing conflict.
The 1967 setback was not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter of conflicts, hopes, and challenges. It is a lesson in history about the importance of unity, real preparation, and not overconfidence. Its repercussions continue to affect politics in the Middle East to this day. In the end, have we truly learned from those days, and can the reality change so that such calamities are not repeated? This is the question of the present and the future.