Overview
The significance of the designation of these territories as occupied territory is that certain legal obligations fall on the occupying power under international law. Under international law there are certain laws of war governing military occupation, including the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 and the Fourth Geneva Convention. One of those obligations is to maintain the status quo until the signing of a peace treaty, the resolution of specific conditions outlined in a peace treaty, or the formation of a new civilian government.
Israel disputes whether, and if so to what extent, it is an occupying power in relation to the Palestinian territories and as to whether Israeli settlements in these territories are in breach of Israel's obligations as an occupying power and constitute a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and whether the settlements constitute war crimes.
| West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem) | East Jerusalem | Gaza Strip | Golan Heights | Sinai Peninsula | Southern Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation period | 1967–present | 1967–present | 1956–1957, 1967–2005/present (disputed) | 1967–present | 1956–1957, 1967–1982 | 1982–2000 |
| Claimed by | Jordan (1967–1988), Palestinians (1988–present) | Jordan (1967–1988), Palestinians (1988–present) | Egypt (1967–1979), Palestinians (1979–present) | Syria, Lebanon (Shebaa Farms area only) | Egypt | Lebanon |
| Israel considers it part of its territory | No | Yes, by the Jerusalem Law | No | Yes, by the Golan Heights Law | No | No |
| Formerly part of the British Mandate for Palestine | Yes | Yes | Yes | Southern half: yes until 1923 | No | No |
| Contains Israeli settlements | Yes | Yes | Formerly yes, but evacuated in 2005 | Yes | Formerly yes, but evacuated in 1982 when the Sinai was returned to Egypt | No |
Read more about this topic: Israeli-occupied Territories