The conflict between Israel and Palestine has a long history, but it can be traced back to the late 19th century when Zionists sought to establish a homeland for the Jewish people in Ottoman-controlled Palestine. The conflict has its roots in the competing claims of Jews and Palestinians to the same land. The following are some of the key events that led to the current conflict:

• British Mandate: Britain took control of the area known as Palestine after the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War One. The land was inhabited by a Jewish minority and Arab majority. Tensions between the two peoples grew when the international community gave Britain the task of establishing a "national home" in Palestine for Jewish people.

• UN Partition Plan: In 1947, the United Nations adopted Resolution 181, known as the Partition Plan, which sought to divide the British Mandate of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was created, sparking the first Arab-Israeli War.

• Arab-Israeli War: The war broke out when five Arab nations invaded territory in the former Palestinian mandate immediately following the announcement of the independence of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948. The fighting intensified with other Arab forces joining the Palestinian Arabs in attacking territory in the former Palestinian mandate. By the time the fighting ended in a ceasefire the following year, Israel controlled most of the territory.

• Occupation: In 1967, Israel launched what it said was a pre-emptive defensive war against Jordan, Egypt, and Syria, as they appeared to be preparing to invade. The attack caught Arab governments by surprise and saw Israel achieve rapid victories, including seizing the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan. The occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip created a new set of contentious issues in the conflict.

The conflict has continued for decades, with both sides engaging in violence and negotiations. The roots of the conflict can be traced to the late 19th century, with the rise of national movements, including Zionism and Arab nationalism.