THREAD🧵:
Israel, not Iran, has been the largest destabilizing force in the history of the Middle East since 1948.
The recent unprovoked attacks on Iran are just the latest violation of regional stability.
This is a list of Israeli wars and destabilizing actions in the region.
1947–1949: Nakba (Palestinian Catastrophe)
16,000+ Palestinians killed and 700,000+ Palestinians forcibly expelled or fled during the 1948 war.
Over 400 Palestinian villages were destroyed.
Marked the start of the Israeli policy of demographic engineering through ethnic cleansing.
1948: First Arab-Israeli War
Following the UN partition plan and Israel’s declaration, Arab states entered the war to stop the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Israel’s actions in mass displacement, a permanent refugee crisis, and armistice lines (not recognized borders).
1956: Suez Crisis
Israel, with the UK and France, invaded Egypt after Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. Severely destabilized Egypt and violated international law.
1967: Six-Day War
Preemptive Israeli strikes on Egypt, Syria, and Jordan.
Israel occupied: West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Golan Heights, Sinai.
Set the stage for 56 years of ongoing occupation.
UN Resolution 242 called for withdrawal from the occupied territories - ignored by Israel.
1967–1970: War of Attrition
Illegal Israeli settlements established on internationally-recognised Egyptian land.
Prolonged fighting with Egypt along Suez Canal.
Thousands killed, largely Egyptians.
1967–present: Illegal Settlements Begin
Systematic construction of Israeli settlements in occupied territories, especially in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Violates Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Over 800,000 settlers now live illegally in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
1973: October War
Egypt and Syria launched a counter-offensive to reclaim their lost land.
Israel nearly collapsed, but was supported by massive US resupply.
1978: Operation Litani (Lebanon)
Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon to expel the PLO.
100,000+ Lebanese civilians displaced.
1982: Lebanon War & Sabra–Shatila Massacre
Full-scale Israeli invasion.
Siege of Beirut.
Sabra and Shatila massacres: 2,000+ Palestinian refugees killed by Lebanese Phalangist militia under Israeli protection and oversight.
Israel occupied parts of Lebanon until 2000.
1985–2000: South Lebanon Occupation
Ongoing low-level war with Hezbollah, created in response to Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory.
Israel supported and armed the South Lebanon Army, a brutal proxy militia.
1987–1993: First Intifada
Mass Palestinian uprising against repressive and racist policies.
Israeli military response killed ~1,200 Palestinians.
Sparked international attention to the brutality of the occupation.
1993–1995: Oslo Accords Signed—Then Undermined
Israel and the PLO agreed to a peace framework.
Israel repeatedly violated terms by:
Expanding settlements during and after negotiations.
Refusing final status negotiations.
Maintaining military control over most of the West Bank.
Oslo process eventually collapsed.
2000–2005: Second Intifada
Sparked by Sharon’s provocative visit to Al-Aqsa, a holy site for Palestinian Muslims.
Over 3,000 Palestinians killed, many in extrajudicial assassinations and military raids.
2003–2011: Mossad Cooperation with US in Iraq
Israel pushed and lobbied for the US invasion of Iraq, which massively destabilized the region and Iraq, leading to millions being displaced.
Targeted assassinations and destabilization of post-invasion Iraq.
Supported Kurdish separatist movements.
Allegedly gathered intelligence from northern Iraq for strikes against Iran.
2006: Lebanon War
Israel invaded Lebanon again after Hezbollah border raid.
Over 1,100 Lebanese civilians killed, ~1 million displaced.
2007–2012: Israeli Attacks on Sudan, Syria, Iraq
Targeted alleged arms convoys to Gaza and Hezbollah.
Violated the sovereignty of multiple nations.
2008–2009: Gaza War (Cast Lead)
1,400+ Palestinians killed.
Use of white phosphorus, targeting of civilian infrastructure.
2011–present: Covert Role in Syrian Civil War & Support for ISIS
Israel supported anti-Assad rebel groups, including some linked to al-Qaeda. UNDOF reports confirmed medical and logistical support to rebels near Golan.
Helped create and support ISIS, a radical Salafist group that killed, enslaved and displaced ethnic minorities. Destablized Syria leading to the Refugee Crisis in Europe.
2012: Operation "Pillar of Defense"
Israeli campaign in Gaza.
160+ Palestinians killed, mostly civilians.
2014: Operation "Protective Edge"
2,200+ Palestinians killed (70–80% civilians).
Over 500 children killed.
Gaza infrastructure devastated.
2015–2025: Regular Airstrikes in Syria
Hundreds of Israeli strikes against Syrian and Iranian targets.
Violation of sovereignty; risk of regional war escalation.
2017–present: Deepening Annexation and Settlement Expansion
Official declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
De facto annexation of large parts of the West Bank.
Netanyahu’s governments pushed for "Greater Israel" policy.
2021: Gaza Conflict (Operation Guardian of the Walls)
250+ Palestinians killed, many in residential tower bombings.
2023–present: Gaza Genocide (Post-October 7 War)
After Hamas-led attack killed (allegedly) 1,100 Israelis, Israel launched a massive war on Gaza.
As of June 2025: Over 100,000 Palestinians killed, mostly civilians. Figures are likely an underestimate.
Over 1.7 million displaced (in Gaza alone).
Entire neighborhoods razed.
Accused by UN and global NGOs of war crimes and genocide.
2024: Israeli Invasion of Southern Lebanon
Israel launched airstrikes and limited ground incursions against Hezbollah amid the Gaza war.
300+ civilians killed, thousands displaced, major infrastructure damage.
Escalated regional tensions and deepened Lebanon’s crisis.
UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) bases came under fire
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