The State of Israel was officially declared on a pivotal day in May, with David Ben-Gurion serving as the head of the newly formed provisional government. The declaration came as a culmination of years of Jewish immigration to Palestine, especially in the wake of World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust. As the British announced their decision to withdraw from the region, Jewish leaders moved quickly to declare statehood, hoping to secure support from the international community and facilitate the establishment of a safe haven for Jews. On the evening of May 14, 1948, Ben-Gurion's declaration was broadcast, marking the establishment of Israel in the land historically linked to the Jewish people.

The immediate aftermath saw Israel attacked by neighboring Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Facilitated by an Arab League resolution, these states sent military forces into Palestine, launching a conflict that eventually evolved into the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The initial fighting was characterized by fierce battles, with both sides suffering significant casualties. Despite being significantly outnumbered, Jewish forces managed to hold their ground and ultimately secure key territories. The war concluded with armistice agreements in 1949, but the tensions initiated during this period would continue to affect the region for decades, complicating any hopes for lasting peace.