Tensions in the Middle East escalated in the months leading up to the outbreak of conflict, as Egypt, under the leadership of President Gamal Abdel Nasser, began mobilizing troops in a show of force. With Egyptian forces massing in the Sinai Peninsula and rhetoric against Israel growing increasingly hostile, Israeli leaders made the difficult decision to launch a preemptive strike. On June 5, 1967, before dawn, Israeli forces executed Operation Focus, targeting Egyptian airfields across the Sinai Peninsula to incapacitate the Egyptian Air Force before it could take flight.

The operation was executed with military precision, utilizing a combination of fighter aircraft, bombers, and ground support, successfully destroying a significant portion of the Egyptian Air Force within hours. This surprise attack provided Israel with an immediate strategic advantage, enabling it to achieve aerial superiority. As a result, Israeli ground forces quickly followed up with a rapid advance into the Sinai Peninsula, marking the beginning of ground offensives against Egypt.

The Six-Day War rapidly escalated as Israel faced not only Egypt but also Jordan and Syria, who joined the conflict. By the end of the war, Israel had captured significant territories, including the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, dramatically altering the political landscape of the Middle East and setting the stage for future conflicts in the region.