Status of the Green Line

The Green Line was established in 1949 after the Arab–Israeli War, through armistice agreements between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

It was not a recognized international border, but rather an armistice demarcation line — a temporary ceasefire boundary until a permanent settlement could be reached.

Between 1949 and 1967:

• Israel controlled the territory west of the line.
• Jordan controlled the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
• Egypt administered the Gaza Strip.

After the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and other territories, effectively pushing beyond the Green Line.

International perspective

The United Nations and most of the international community still consider the Green Line as the basis for the 1967 borders, which serve as the reference point for a two-state solution.

Israel, however, does not officially recognize the Green Line as a permanent border, arguing that final boundaries must be determined by negotiation.

👉 In short:
The Green Line was a ceasefire line, not an official border, but it became the de facto reference for defining Israel’s boundaries before 1967 and is still used as a reference point in peace talks today.

Do you want me to make you a simple map showing the Green Line as it was in 1949–1967?