Escalating Suez Canal Crisis On October 31, 1956, Britain and France bombed Egypt in retaliation for its blockade of their shipping in the Suez Canal. The attack came two days after Israel invaded Egypt, conquering the Gaza Strip and advancing through the Sinai to the canal. After joining Israel in the hostilities, Britain and France deployed their troops in the Canal Zone and demanded the immediate evacuation of Egyptian forces. The international community condemned the military action, and the two European countries agreed to withdraw. Meanwhile, the UN sent an emergency force to the area in December. In 1957, Israeli and UN troops finally left the area, and the Suez Canal returned to Egyptian control.
