Also called: Israel’s War of Independence or Nakba (Show more) 1948 Arab-Israeli War, an existential war fought between Israel and Arab forces from Egypt, Transjordan (Jordan), Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. The war formally began on May 15, 1948, and ended on July 20, 1949, although it followed a civil war that began after the passage of United Nations partition plan on November 29, 1947. The fighting more or less came to an end on January 7, 1949. For Israel, the war is remembered as the War of Independence because it secured the country’s existence despite hostile neighbors. For Arabs, the war is remembered as “the Nakba” (from Arabic al-nakbah, “the ...(100 of 1978 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!