Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 3 Increased…
Full specification wording
Option P5: Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 3 Increased tension, 1955–63: The events and significance of Israeli attacks on Gaza in 1955 and Sinai in 1956.
The Israeli attack on Gaza in February 1955 was a severe retaliation against Egyptian-sponsored fedayeen raids.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Israeli attack on Gaza in February 1955 was a severe retaliation against Egyptian-sponsored fedayeen raids. Killing 38 Egyptian soldiers, it humiliated President Nasser and exposed Egypt's military weakness, directly motivating his Czech arms deal with the Soviet bloc. In 1956, Israel attacked the Sinai Peninsula following a secret pact with Britain and France after Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal. Israel's rapid conquest of Sinai demonstrated its military superiority and secured the Straits of Tiran for Israeli shipping, despite international pressure forcing a later withdrawal. Both events significantly heightened Arab-Israeli tensions, escalated Cold War involvement, and shifted the regional balance of power.
What earns the marks
- Identify the Gaza attack (1955) as a retaliation for fedayeen raids that killed 38 Egyptian soldiers.
- Explain the significance of the Gaza attack in pushing Nasser to secure the Czech arms deal.
- Describe the events of the Sinai attack (1956) as part of a coordinated plan with Britain and France.
- Evaluate the significance of the Sinai campaign in demonstrating Israeli military dominance and securing access to the Straits of Tiran.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the 1955 Gaza attack with the 1956 Sinai campaign.
Put it right: Gaza was a raid in 1955, while Sinai was a full-scale invasion in 1956.
Stating that Israel permanently kept Sinai in 1956.
Put it right: Israel was forced to withdraw from Sinai by the USA and USSR in 1957.
Believing the Gaza attack was unprovoked.
Put it right: The attack was a direct retaliation for cross-border fedayeen raids into Israel.
Exam tips
- Link the 1955 Gaza attack directly to the escalation of Cold War involvement via the Czech arms deal.
- When discussing significance, focus on both short-term military outcomes and long-term geopolitical shifts.
- Use the 1956 Sinai attack to demonstrate the growing alliance between Israel and Western powers against Arab nationalism.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P5: Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 3 Increased tension, 1955–63: The events and significance of Israeli attacks on Gaza in 1955 and Sinai in 1956. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was a major consequence of the Israeli attack on Egyptian military headquarters in Gaza in February 1955?
Listen
The Israeli attack on Gaza in February 1955 was a severe retaliation against Egyptian-sponsored fedayeen raids. Killing 38 Egyptian soldiers, it humiliated President Nasser and exposed Egypt's military weakness, directly motivating his Czech arms deal with the Soviet bloc. In 1956, Israel attacked the Sinai Peninsula following a secret pact with Britain and France after Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal. Israel's rapid conquest of Sinai demonstrated its military superiority and secured the Straits of Tiran for Israeli shipping, despite international pressure forcing a later withdrawal. Both events significantly heightened Arab-Israeli tensions, escalated Cold War involvement, and shifted the regional balance of power. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the Gaza attack (1955) as a retaliation for fedayeen raids that killed 38 Egyptian soldiers. Explain the significance of the Gaza attack in pushing Nasser to secure the Czech arms deal. Describe the events of the Sinai attack (1956) as part of a coordinated plan with Britain and France. Evaluate the significance of the Sinai campaign in demonstrating Israeli military dominance and securing access to the Straits of Tiran. A common slip: Confusing the 1955 Gaza attack with the 1956 Sinai campaign. Instead, Gaza was a raid in 1955, while Sinai was a full-scale invasion in 1956. Exam tip: Link the 1955 Gaza attack directly to the escalation of Cold War involvement via the Czech arms deal.
See it
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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