Second Intifada

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Second Intifada

The Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, was a period of intensified Israeli-Palestinian violence, which began in late September 2000 and ended around 2005. The uprising was characterized by a series of violent confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and within Israel itself.

Background

The Second Intifada followed the failure of the 2000 Camp David Summit and the subsequent breakdown of peace talks. Tensions were further inflamed by the visit of then Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount (known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque) on 28 September 2000, which was seen by many Palestinians as a provocative act.

Major Events

The Second Intifada saw numerous suicide bombings, shootings, and other attacks by Palestinian militants, as well as military operations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Key events include:

• The Battle of Jenin in April 2002, where intense fighting took place in the Jenin refugee camp.
• Operation Defensive Shield, a large-scale military operation conducted by the IDF in 2002.
• The construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier, which began in 2002, aimed at preventing the infiltration of terrorists into Israel.

Impact

The Second Intifada resulted in significant casualties on both sides. According to various estimates, over 3,000 Palestinians and around 1,000 Israelis were killed during the conflict. The violence also led to widespread destruction of infrastructure and had a profound impact on the daily lives of people in the region.

Aftermath

The Second Intifada gradually declined after the death of Yasser Arafat in November 2004 and the subsequent election of Mahmoud Abbas as President of the Palestinian National Authority. The conflict officially ended with the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit in February 2005, where both sides agreed to cease hostilities.

Related Pages

• First Intifada
• Israeli–Palestinian conflict
• Gaza War
• West Bank
• Gaza Strip
• Israel Defense Forces
• Hamas
• Palestinian National Authority