The Suez Crisis

Published on 25 Oct 2025

The Arab-Israeli War of 1956, known as the Suez Crisis, was a conflict when Israel, the United Kingdom, and France attacked Egypt in response to Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal. It ended with international pressure and a ceasefire, reshaping Cold War dynamics and the Middle East conflict.

Factors that led up to the Suez Crisis

Nationalization of the Suez Canal (1956): Egypt's President Nasser decided to take control of the Suez Canal to fund the Aswan High Dam after Western aid was withdrawn.
Canal Closure to Israel: Egypt closed the canal to Israeli ships and goods, intensifying regional tensions.
Secret Anglo-French-Israeli Plan: Israel, the UK, and France secretly planned to regain control of the canal, leading to Israel's invasion of the Sinai Peninsula.
International Opposition: The invasion was met with strong international condemnation, especially from the U.S. and the USSR, who pushed for the withdrawal of foreign forces.
UN Involvement: The United Nations deployed a peacekeeping force to oversee the withdrawal of foreign troops and canal operations.
Forced Withdrawal: Under global pressure, the UK, France, and Israel withdrew their forces from Egypt by early 1957, ending the crisis.