What Happened to Palestine (The Palestinian Territories)?

The Palestinian Territories, encompassing the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, have been defined by decades of conflict, occupation, and a persistent struggle for statehood. The underlying 'what happened' is a protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict rooted in competing claims to land, national identity, and security. Key turning points include the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the 1967 Six-Day War which led to Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, and the Oslo Accords in the 1990s that established the Palestinian Authority (PA) with limited self-governance. However, these accords failed to lead to a lasting peace agreement, and the conflict has continued to evolve with periods of intense violence, including the Second Intifada and multiple wars in Gaza.

In recent years, particularly since late 2023, the situation has dramatically deteriorated. A major conflict erupted in October 2023, leading to a devastating war in the Gaza Strip. This conflict resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with over 73,000 Palestinian deaths and 173,260 injuries by June 2026, and widespread destruction of infrastructure. A U.S.-brokered 20-point peace deal, including a ceasefire, was agreed upon in October 2025, leading to a hostage-prisoner exchange and increased humanitarian aid. However, its implementation has largely stalled, with Israel controlling 53% of the Gaza Strip and Hamas resisting disarmament, leading to daily ceasefire violations and continued insecurity.

The 'why it happened' is multifaceted, involving deep-seated historical grievances, religious and nationalistic narratives, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and the internal divisions within Palestinian leadership. The continued Israeli occupation and settlement expansion in the West Bank are widely considered violations of international law and a significant impediment to a two-state solution. The division between Fatah, which dominates the PA in the West Bank, and Hamas, which took control of Gaza in 2007, has further complicated efforts for a unified Palestinian political strategy.

Current Status as of 2026-06-17:

Gaza Strip: The humanitarian situation remains dire, with 1.9 million Palestinians displaced and dependent on aid. Over 90% of water and sanitation infrastructure has been destroyed and not rebuilt, leading to a public health crisis. Aid delivery faces significant restrictions and funding shortfalls. While a ceasefire is formally in place, it is regularly violated, and Hamas's disarmament, a key component of the peace deal, has not begun. Israel's Prime Minister announced in May 2026 an intention to increase Israeli control of the Gaza Strip to 70% of the territory.

West Bank: Israeli settlement expansion has accelerated rapidly. In June 2026, Israel approved 2,162 new housing units in three settlements and plans to allocate hundreds of millions for the rapid expansion of Jewish settlements, including establishing 60 new 'temporary sites.' Settler violence has reached record levels, with over 1,000 attacks documented in 2026, resulting in casualties, property damage, and the displacement of over 2,200 Palestinians. Alarmingly, in May 2026, Israel began seizing homes in Area A, under Palestinian Authority control near Jenin, to establish a permanent military base, a move described as a significant violation of the Oslo framework. Access to essential services is severely impacted, with more than one-third of essential medicines out of stock and over 11,000 surgeries postponed since January 2026.

Palestinian Authority and Political Landscape: President Mahmoud Abbas announced in June 2026 that presidential elections would be held in 2027 and legislative elections in November 2026, after multiple postponements. This comes amid mounting international pressure for reforms and accusations of corruption and declining legitimacy. Hamas has urged direct talks with Fatah for a unified national strategy, and some PA officials have softened their stance on Hamas disarmament, indicating ongoing, albeit challenging, efforts towards Palestinian unity.

International Response: The international community remains committed to a two-state solution, with the UK, Australia, and Canada launching a new International Peace Fund in June 2026 to support peacebuilding efforts. However, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), a critical provider of humanitarian aid, faces an existential funding crisis, with the US ending its support in 2025 and other nations suspending or reducing contributions. The UN Secretary-General has warned of a rapidly deteriorating situation across the Occupied Palestinian Territory.