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War of Attrition (1969–1970): Egypt–Israel conflict

A limited war fought mainly along the Suez Canal after the 1967 Arab–Israeli war. Lasted March 1969–7 August 1970 and ended with a UN-mediated ceasefire; shaped later diplomacy and military thinking.

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022 Last updated: May 27, 2026

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Overview

The War of Attrition was a limited, sustained conflict between Egypt and Israel that took place primarily from March 1969 to 7 August 1970. It followed the wider 1967 conflict known as the Six-Day War, in which an Israeli victory resulted in the occupation of territories including the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Rather than aiming for a decisive decisive breakthrough, the principal intent—particularly on the Egyptian side—was to wear down the adversary's military strength and morale.

Background and objectives

After 1967 the frontiers between the belligerents remained tense. Egypt sought to recover territory lost in 1967 and to pressure Israel through continuous low-intensity attacks, artillery duels and commando raids. Israel aimed to hold its gains, deter further Egyptian operations and to respond with disproportionate firepower when necessary. The conflict formed part of broader Cold War dynamics: the Soviet Union supplied Egypt with matériel and advisers, while the United States engaged diplomatically with Israel and regional partners.

Course of the conflict

Fighting concentrated along the Suez Canal and in the Sinai, with additional exchanges on other fronts at times. The war featured several patterns:

Heavy artillery duels and trench warfare near the canal.
Air strikes and air-to-ground battles as each side sought to interdict the other's positions.
Special forces and commando raids across front lines and behind rear positions.
Use of new air-defense systems and anti-ship/anti-tank weapons, reflecting hardware supplied by superpower patrons.

Both sides suffered attrition in personnel and equipment; operations were intermittent, with periodic escalations followed by lull periods while diplomatic efforts proceeded.

Ceasefire and aftermath

Hostilities ended with a ceasefire on 7 August 1970, after sustained international pressure and direct negotiations. The truce held, although it left core political issues unresolved. The war neither restored Egyptian territory nor forced Israel to withdraw, but it exhausted resources, influenced military doctrine on both sides, and set the stage for renewed conflict and later diplomatic rapprochement.

Significance and notable facts

The War of Attrition is often studied as an example of limited war and attritional strategy: rather than decisive maneuver, both sides relied on sustained pressure, technological change (notably air defenses and guided munitions), and international diplomacy. It demonstrated how regional disputes could be sustained over long periods without full-scale mobilization, and how external powers shaped outcomes. For further context on the preceding events and territorial changes, see materials on the Six-Day War and on the territories occupied in 1967 such as the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The ceasefire itself is discussed in more detailed diplomatic accounts and UN records (ceasefire details).

For national perspectives, contemporary military assessments, and international responses consult specialized histories and primary documents from the period; general overviews are available in regional histories and Cold War studies that examine how the Egypt–Israel confrontation fit into broader strategic trends. Additional resources and archival material can be found via dedicated research collections and government releases on the 1967 outcome.

Etymology

Generally, war of attrition, also called war of fatigue, is a limited but prolonged military conflict in which mutual losses far exceed potential or actual gains.

Wars of attrition arise either because one party relies from the outset on exhausting the opponent's forces, even if it cannot inflict a direct defeat on him, or through the gradual solidification of the fronts as a result of the exhaustion of the resources of the opponents involved. Resources also play an important role in this process. Germany's industry in the First World War, for example, was not prepared for a war of attrition.

In game theory, the term is used in a similar sense for a game with accumulated costs that are higher than the gains.

The Israeli army had inflicted a heavy defeat on the forces of Egypt in the Six-Day War. The entire Sinai Peninsula up to the Suez Canal was in Israeli hands. The Egyptian army, which was considered the strongest in the Arab world, was not only defeated across the board but also severely humiliated. A strong sense of shame and a need for retaliation were the result.

The United Nations and the two superpowers tried in vain to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. On November 22, 1967, UN Security Council Resolution 242 was passed, providing for Israeli withdrawal "from occupied territories" in exchange for peace. Diplomatic contacts led nowhere, and after all Arab states declared in the Khartoum Resolution on 1 September 1967 that they would enter into "no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, and no negotiations with Israel", Egyptian President Nasser declared that it was clear that "what was taken by force must be regained by force".

Egyptian President Nasser's plan was described by his confidant, journalist Muhammad Heikal, as follows:

"If the enemy succeeds in inflicting a loss of 50,000 men on us, we can still continue to fight because we have human reserves. If we succeed in inflicting a loss of 10,000 men on him, he will inevitably find himself in a situation where he must stop fighting because he has no human reserves."

Thanks to generous Soviet arms deliveries, Egypt was able to make up for its material losses from the Six-Day War much more quickly than anyone in Israel had expected. In addition, hundreds of Soviet military advisers arrived in the country, numbering 1,500 at the start of the war. Because of their presence and that of Soviet pilots and ships, the conflict threatened to escalate into an East-West confrontation. When five Migs with Egyptian license plates but Soviet pilots were shot down on July 30, they were called "Egyptians" in Israel.

Questions and Answers

Q: What was the War of Attrition?

A: The War of Attrition was a war between Egypt and Israel that took place from 1969 to 1970.

Q: When did the War of Attrition start?

A: The War of Attrition started in March 1969.

Q: When did the War of Attrition end?

A: The War of Attrition ended on August 7, 1970, when the ceasefire was restored.

Q: What was the cause of the War of Attrition?

A: The War of Attrition was caused by the Israeli capture of the Golan Heights, Gaza Strip, and the West Bank in the Six-Day War in 1967.

Q: Which countries were involved in the War of Attrition?

A: The countries involved in the War of Attrition were Egypt and Israel.

Q: Who won the Six-Day War in 1967?

A: Israel won the Six-Day War in 1967.

Q: What territories did Israel capture during the Six-Day War in 1967?

A: Israel captured the Golan Heights, Gaza Strip, and the West Bank during the Six-Day War in 1967.

Author

AlegsaOnline.com - War of Attrition - Leandro Alegsa

Creation date: November 13, 2022
Last updated: May 27, 2026

URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/106495