1949

July 20
With the signing of the ceasefire agreement with Syria, the War of Independence is formally at an end. During the war Israel had many great successes: its territory grew from 55%, as agreed by the UN resolution, to 70%; the Arab countries that invaded the young State were defeated and driven out in most of the battles; and the State of Israel became a fait accomplis in the Middle East. But Israel paid a heavy price - 6,000 dead and thousands wounded.