In late 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan for Palestine that would create separate Jewish and Arab states amidst growing tensions stemming from decades of conflict over territory and national identity. The Jewish community accepted the plan, seeing it as a legal basis for a future state following years of immigration driven by European anti-Semitism, including the Holocaust. However, the Arab leadership rejected the proposal as unjust, arguing it violated the rights of the majority Arab population in the region. On November 30, violence erupted, marking the beginning of what would become a civil war in Mandatory Palestine.

The ensuing conflict saw both Arab and Jewish armed groups engage in hostilities, with Jewish paramilitary organizations, such as the Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi, taking defensive actions. The Arab Liberation Army and other local Arab militias organized to combat Jewish forces, resulting in tragic assaults on civilian neighborhoods. Key cities, including Jerusalem, Haifa, and Jaffa, witnessed fierce fighting, leading to widespread displacement and casualties among both communities. In the chaos, mutual suspicion and grievances deepened, laying the groundwork for further conflict.

The violence not only led to significant loss of life and property but also influenced international perceptions and policies concerning the future of Palestine. As hostilities escalated, the British authorities found it increasingly difficult to maintain order and ultimately decided to withdraw from the region. This shift in governance set the stage for the declaration of the State of Israel in May 1948, followed by the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, further solidifying the divisions that emerged during the civil war.