In 1947, with Jewish immigration growing after the end of World War II and Britain’s influence in the region waning, the United Nations moved to create a Jewish state and separate Palestinian state with an international zone surrounding Jerusalem.
As partition approached, violence worsened.
After the Israeli state was established a year later, Arab nations tried to invade but were pushed back beyond the U.N.-proposed borders into the Gaza Strip and portions of the West Bank.
In all, some 700,000 Palestinians were displaced during the first Arab war.
Armistice agreements signed in 1949 later established the demilitarized Green Line.
Organizations:
United Nations, Gaza, West Bank
Locations:
Jerusalem, Green