What were Israelis and Palestinians fighting over?

The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is a decades-old dispute between the government of the State of Israel and the national movement of the Palestinian people. While roots of the conflict date back to the 19th century, the modern phase of the conflict began in the aftermath of World War I and the end of the Ottoman Empire's rule in the region. The conflict encompasses a wide range of political, social, religious, and territorial disputes.

The main issues at the heart of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict are:

Borders and territory: The two sides have not agreed on the final borders of their respective states. The main points of contention are the status of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. Also at issue are Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law, and the Israeli West Bank barrier.

Jerusalem: The city of Jerusalem has a special status in the conflict, as both Israelis and Palestinians claim it as their capital. The Israeli government currently controls the entire city, but the Palestinian Authority claims East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Refugees and the right of return: There are millions of Palestinian refugees who were displaced from their homes during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and the 1967 Six-Day War. The Palestinians demand that they be allowed to return to their former homes, while Israel argues that this would threaten the country's Jewish character.

Water resources: Water is a scarce resource in the region, and both Israelis and Palestinians have competing claims on the water resources of the Jordan River and the mountain aquifers in the West Bank.

Security: Both Israelis and Palestinians cite security concerns as a major reason for the conflict. The Israelis point to the violence perpetrated by Palestinian militant groups, while the Palestinians point to the Israeli military occupation and the ongoing restrictions on their movement and economic development.

The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is a complex and intractable problem with no easy solutions. It is a conflict that has lasted for decades and has cost the lives of thousands of people. It is a conflict that has involved multiple rounds of violence, negotiations, and peace initiatives, but has yet to find a lasting resolution.