13th May: Thousands of local Arabs attack a Jewish kibbutz called Kfar Etzion, situated between Jerusalem and Hebron. In total the massacre kills 127 Jews (21 women and a number of Irgun/Haganah fighters)
14th May: British Mandate of Palestine ends. General Sir Alan Cunningham, the last British High Commissioner leaves Palestine. On the same day, the State of Israel is announced, immediately recognised by USA and the Soviet Union.
15th May: Israel declares independence, triggering the Arab-Israeli War, in which Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon enter Israel. The fighting would continue until April 1949, when the Arab states and Israel agree to an armistice.
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