The Al-Aqsa Intifada emerged from the failure of the Oslo peace process and continued Israeli occupation. As Edward Said observed, this uprising represented Palestinian rejection of a "peace" that maintained occupation and denied fundamental rights. The Second Intifada exposed the contradictions of attempting to achieve peace while maintaining colonial control.
The Second Intifada erupted from the failure of the Oslo peace process to deliver Palestinian liberation. As Edward Said argued, Oslo represented "Palestinian surrender" rather than genuine peace, creating a "fast-food peace" that managed rather than ended occupation. The uprising began with Sharon's provocative visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque and escalated into the most intense period of Palestinian-Israeli conflict since 1967. Unlike the largely civil resistance of the First Intifada, the Second Intifada was characterized by both armed resistance and Israeli military operations using F-16s, tanks, and systematic assassinations. The construction of the Separation Wall and the siege of Palestinian cities demonstrated Israel's strategy of unilateral separation rather than negotiated peace. The Intifada ended with a ceasefire in 2005, but the root causes—occupation, settlements, and denial of Palestinian rights—remained unaddressed, setting the stage for future confrontations.
The Al-Aqsa Intifada emerged from the failure of the Oslo peace process and continued Israeli occupation. As Edward Said observed, this uprising represented Palestinian rejection of a "peace" that maintained occupation and denied fundamental rights. The Second Intifada exposed the contradictions of attempting to achieve peace while maintaining colonial control.
The Second Intifada erupted from the failure of the Oslo peace process to deliver Palestinian liberation. As Edward Said argued, Oslo represented "Palestinian surrender" rather than genuine peace, creating a "fast-food peace" that managed rather than ended occupation. The uprising began with Sharon's provocative visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque and escalated into the most intense period of Palestinian-Israeli conflict since 1967. Unlike the largely civil resistance of the First Intifada, the Second Intifada was characterized by both armed resistance and Israeli military operations using F-16s, tanks, and systematic assassinations. The construction of the Separation Wall and the siege of Palestinian cities demonstrated Israel's strategy of unilateral separation rather than negotiated peace. The Intifada ended with a ceasefire in 2005, but the root causes—occupation, settlements, and denial of Palestinian rights—remained unaddressed, setting the stage for future confrontations.
Approximately 3,315 Palestinians killed, including hundreds of children
Around 972 Israelis killed during the uprising
+11 more outcomes & impacts
Ariel Sharon, accompanied by over 1,000 Israeli security forces, makes a provocative visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound (Haram al-Sharif), one of Islam's holiest sites. This calculated provocation by the hardline Israeli politician is widely seen as an attempt to assert Israeli sovereignty over the site and inflame tensions.
The Second Intifada (Al-Aqsa Intifada) erupts as protests spread across Palestine following Sharon's provocative visit. Israeli forces respond with excessive force, killing several Palestinians and injuring hundreds. This marks the beginning of a sustained uprising against occupation and the failure of the Oslo peace process.
The Sharm El-Sheikh agreement, brokered by President Clinton, aimed to cease violence but quickly collapses as Israeli forces continue their operations in Palestinian territories. The agreement's failure demonstrates the impossibility of managing the conflict without addressing its root causes.
The U.S. commissions Senator George Mitchell to investigate the causes of violence and propose solutions. The Mitchell Plan later calls for a halt to settlement construction and an end to violence, but Israel continues settlement expansion.
Ariel Sharon is elected Prime Minister of Israel, promising to combat "terrorism" and taking an increasingly hardline approach against Palestinian resistance. His election signals a shift toward more aggressive Israeli policies and military escalation.
Israel begins using F-16 warplanes against Palestinian targets in Gaza, marking a significant escalation in military tactics and disproportionate use of force. This represents the first use of such advanced military aircraft against a civilian population.
A suicide bombing at a Tel Aviv disco kills 21 Israeli teenagers. Hamas claims responsibility for the attack. The bombing leads to increased Israeli military operations and further escalation of the conflict.
Following a Hamas attack in Netanya that killed 28 Israelis, Israel launches "Operation Defensive Shield," the largest military operation in the West Bank since 1967. The operation includes sieges of major Palestinian cities and the Jenin refugee camp, where significant human rights violations occur.
Israeli forces besiege Yasser Arafat's compound in Ramallah, confining the Palestinian leader there for years until his death. The siege symbolizes Israel's strategy of destroying Palestinian leadership and political infrastructure.
Israeli forces invade Jenin refugee camp during Operation Defensive Shield, killing dozens of Palestinians and destroying large portions of the camp. Human rights organizations document numerous violations, including the use of Palestinian civilians as human shields and preventing medical teams from entering for days.
Israel begins construction of the Separation Wall in the West Bank, which the International Court of Justice later rules illegal under international law. The wall confiscates Palestinian land, separates communities, annexes additional territory to Israel, and further fragments Palestinian territory.
Israel assassinates Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the wheelchair-bound spiritual leader of Hamas, in an airstrike that also kills several civilians. Yassin is killed leaving a mosque after morning prayers. This assassination is part of Israel's policy of extrajudicial killings of Palestinian leaders.
Israel assassinates Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, Sheikh Yassin's successor in Hamas, in another airstrike just weeks after Yassin's killing. These assassinations represent Israel's systematic policy of eliminating Palestinian political and military leadership.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat dies in a French military hospital after being confined to his compound for years by Israeli forces. Many Palestinians believe he was poisoned by Israel, though this remains unproven. His death marks the end of an era in Palestinian leadership.
Mahmoud Abbas is elected President of the Palestinian Authority following Arafat's death. His election represents a shift toward more moderate Palestinian leadership and opens the door for renewed peace efforts.
At the Sharm El Sheikh Summit, Israel and the Palestinian Authority declare a ceasefire, effectively ending the Second Intifada. However, the fundamental issues that sparked the uprising - occupation, settlements, and denial of Palestinian rights - remain unresolved.
Israel completes its unilateral "disengagement" from Gaza, removing approximately 8,000 settlers while maintaining control over Gaza's borders, airspace, and maritime access. This withdrawal is part of Sharon's plan to strengthen Israeli control over the West Bank while abandoning less strategic areas.