The Fourth Arab-Israeli War – The Yom Kippur War, 1973

• UN Resolution 242


  Called for Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories and Arab states' recognition of Israel.
• War of Attrition

  Ongoing conflict between Israel and Egypt after 1967, leading to a ceasefire in 1970.
• Palestinian Terrorism

  Increased attacks by Palestinians on Israel post-1967, including high-profile incidents like airliner hijackings.
• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)

  Palestinian group aiming to bring attention to the Palestinian issue through terrorist attacks, including airliner bombings.
• Black September


  Splinter group of Fatah formed in retaliation for Jordan's actions in 1970, known for high-profile attacks like the Munich Olympics massacre.
• King Hussein of Jordan

  Took strong action in 1970 to expel Palestinian terrorist groups from Jordan, leading to infighting within the Arab community.
• Resolution 242 Outcome


  Although accepted by Egypt and Jordan in 1967, Resolution 242 did not bring lasting peace to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
• Fatah

  Palestinian fighting units that increased in number post-1967, posing a significant threat to Israel.
• PLO Controlled 'State within a State'

  Concern over the development of a PLO-controlled entity within Jordan led to King Hussein's strong attack on Palestinian groups in 1970.
• Dawson's Field Incident

  In September 1970, three western airliners were hijacked and blown up in Jordan by the PFLP, drawing global attention.
• Dr. George Habash

  Leader of the PFLP, known for orchestrating high-profile terrorist attacks to bring attention to the Palestinian cause.
• Expulsion of Palestinian Fighters from Jordan

  Significantly impacted the development of terrorist organizations after King Hussein's crackdown on Palestinian groups in 1970.
• Black September Assassination


  In 1971, a 'Black September' hit-squad assassinated the Jordanian Prime Minister in Cairo in retaliation for the 1970 events.
• Munich Olympics

  1972 event where Black September killed 11 Israelis.
• Yasser Arafat

  Ordered PLO attacks to be within Israel post-1973.
• Operation Wrath of God

  Revenge attacks by Mossad after the Munich massacre.
• Syria

  Sent army units to halt Jordanian attacks on Palestinians.
• State within a state

  Concern of PLO control leading to internal conflict.
• Terrorist organizations

  Significantly affected by the expulsion from Jordan.
• Jordanian Prime Minister

  Assassinated by Black September in Cairo, 1971.
• Black September hit-squad

  Assassinated Jordanian Prime Minister in Cairo.
• El-Al Flight 426

  Hijacked to Algeria, leading to prisoner release negotiations.
• Swissair Flight 330

  Bombed mid-air, disrupting mail services to Israel.
• Dawson's Field hijackings

  Planes hijacked to a Jordanian desert airstrip.
• Lufthansa Flight 649


  Hijacked to Aden with ransom demand for $5m.
• Massacre in Lod Airport

  Japanese Red Army attack killing 26 people.
• Lufthansa Flight 615

  Hijacked demanding release of Palestinian prisoners.
• Sabena Flight 571

  Hijacked demanding release of 315 Palestinian prisoners.
• Air France Flight 139


  Hijacked to Entebbe, Uganda, rescued by Israeli forces.
• Lufthansa Flight 181

  Hijacked by PFLP and flown to Mogadishu, Somalia.
• Red Army Faction

  West German terrorist group demanding prisoner release
• GSG-9

  West German anti-terrorist commando unit
• Anwar Sadat

  Successor of Nasser, sought peace with Israel
• Moshe Dayan


  Israeli Defence Minister critical of Israel's foreign policy
• Yom Kippur War

  1973 conflict where Egypt and Syria attacked Israel
• SAM Batteries

  Russian surface-to-air missiles used in the conflict
• Sinai

  Territory Egypt demanded Israel withdraw from
• Ceasefire Agreement

  End of hostilities with Israelis near Damascus and Cairo
• Counter-attack


  Israeli response pushing back Syrian and Egyptian forces
• Chinese Farm


  Site of a major battle where Egypt lost many tanks