UPSC Notes

Israel-Palestine Conflict

PYQs

14

Articles

4

Momentum

44

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Crucial for understanding global geopolitics, international law, humanitarian crises, and the role of major powers in conflict resolution. It impacts regional stability and global energy security.

The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the world's longest-running and most intractable disputes, rooted in competing claims over land, historical narratives, and national self-determination. It involves issues of occupation, settlements, borders, Jerusalem's status, and refugee rights.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Occupation of Territories

The conflict involves the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories (West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem) since 1967.

Settlement Expansion

Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank is a major point of contention and widely considered a violation of international law.

Gaza Crisis

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by blockades and conflicts, is a significant and ongoing aspect of the dispute.

Regional Linkage

International attention on the conflict can shift based on broader regional dynamics, with de-escalation elsewhere potentially refocusing scrutiny on the Palestinian issue.

Origin

Rooted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of Zionism and Arab nationalism.

Key Actors

Israel, Palestinian Authority, Hamas, various international mediators (US, UN, Arab states).

Core Issues

Borders, settlements, status of Jerusalem, right of return for Palestinian refugees, security concerns, and self-determination.

Recent Developments

Ceasefires, peace plans, and international efforts to disarm militant groups and establish governance structures in Gaza.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaInternational Relations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
United StatesMediates
EgyptMediates
QatarMediates
TurkeyMediates
United NationsMonitors
HamasNon-state actor, governing authority in gaza, involved in conflict
IsraelState actor, party to the conflict
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

Quick revision

  • Long-running conflict: Land, self-determination.
  • Key issues: Occupation, settlements, Gaza crisis.
  • International law: Settlements are illegal.
  • Regional shifts: Can alter global focus on Palestine.
  • Impact: Global peace, human rights, India's foreign policy.

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

International Relations

The U.S.-Iran ‘peace deal’ confronts spoiler Israel

17 Jun 2026 · The Israel-Palestine conflict is a protracted dispute over land and self-determination, characterized by occupation, settlement expansion, and humanitarian crises, whose prominence in international discourse is influenced by broader West Asian geopolitical shifts.

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Donald Trump announces agreement for disarmament of Hamas

31 Jul 2026 · The Israel-Palestine conflict is a complex, multi-faceted dispute over land and sovereignty, involving historical grievances, religious claims, and security concerns, with ongoing international efforts to achieve a lasting peace.

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Board of Peace envoy meets with Netanyahu on Gaza disarmament deal, urges halt to strikes

04 Aug 2026 · The Israel-Palestine conflict is a complex geopolitical issue involving historical claims, security concerns, and humanitarian crises, with ongoing international mediation efforts and frequent violations of international law.

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Kushner has rare meeting with Hamas chief on Gaza road map; to meet Netanyahu next

17 Aug 2026 · A protracted conflict between Israelis and Palestinians over land, self-determination, and security, with core issues like borders, settlements, and Jerusalem's status, often mediated by international actors.

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Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 14 linked questions on Israel-Palestine Conflict in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Israel-Palestine Conflict

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

2023·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following pairs : Country | Reason for being in the news| |- | -| |1. Argentina | Worst economic crisis| |2. Sudan | War between the country's ...

2024·International Relations
Solve

The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:

2015·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its p...

2024·International Relations
Solve

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

2015·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following pairs : Regions : often Reason for being in news 1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2. Nagorno-Karabakh : In...

2023·International Relations
Solve

Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as ‘Arab Spring’ originally started from

2014·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

2023·International Relations
Solve

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

2025·International Relations
Solve

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following UN organisations/agencies : 1. World Food Programme 2. United Nations Children's Fund 3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following countries are members of the European Union ? 1. Belarus 2. Poland 3. Germany 4. Switzerland Select the answer using the code given ...

2026·International Relations
Solve

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