The 1983 West Bank fainting epidemic unfolded primarily in schools throughout the region, affecting predominantly Palestinian students. Initial reports emerged in March, with numerous students experiencing fainting spells, which led to widespread panic and confusion among local communities. As healthcare professionals examined the situation, some parents and community leaders speculated that Israeli forces were employing poison gas against Palestinian students, exacerbating existing tensions in a long-standing conflict. This series of fainting incidents sparked a sense of fear and mistrust, leading to increased political and social discord.

Investigations conducted by health officials and psychologists highlighted that the fainting episodes were not caused by any external toxic agents, but rather were largely psychosomatic reactions. The stressful environment created by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict substantially contributed to the students' anxiety. The psychological impact was significant, as many students were already living under conditions of instability and uncertainty. The term 'mass hysteria' was used to describe the phenomenon, indicating that collective fear drove the symptoms experienced by the students.

In the aftermath, the epidemic prompted discussions about mental health within the context of conflict. Experts suggested that such psychosomatic responses could be indicative of deeper issues surfaced by chronic stress in environments marked by violence and instability. The event demonstrated how psychological factors could significantly influence health in populations experiencing conflict, and prompted some communities to rethink how they approached health crises in stressful situations.