The First Intifada, known as 'the uprising,' began in the late 1980s as a response to the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which had lasted since the Six-Day War in 1967. This popular uprising manifested primarily through demonstrations, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience. The immediate catalyst for the Intifada was a tragic traffic incident involving an Israeli military vehicle that resulted in the deaths of four Palestinian workers, leading to public outrage and unrest. The ensuing protests reflected deep-seated grievances over occupation, settlement expansion, and socio-economic difficulties faced by Palestinians.

Throughout its course from 1987 until the early 1990s, the First Intifada was characterized by the active participation of various segments of Palestinian society, including women and children. Street confrontations with Israeli forces often escalated into violence, with the use of stones and makeshift weapons by Palestinians against armed soldiers. The uprising was notably marked by grassroots organization, as local leaders and organizations mobilized communities to resist the occupation through boycotts and demonstrations. Palestinians sought international support and recognition for their cause, leading to increased awareness of the conflict globally.

The international community's response to the Intifada varied, with some countries showing solidarity with the Palestinian movement. The Intifada changed the nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by elevating Palestinian voices on the world stage and challenging the prevailing narrative of the occupation. It also set the stage for future peace processes, including the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s, while leaving a lasting legacy on both Palestinian identity and Israeli policies in the region.