The war in Egypt in 1956 is more commonly known as the Suez crisis with the reason for it given as Nasser's nationalisation of the Suez canal. This is however an over simplification and the reasons for war predate the nationalisation with the three invading forces, Israel, France and Great Britain each having considered and drawn up possible plans for an invasion before the nationalisation. The war is also known as Operations Kadesh (the Israeli occupation of the Sinai), Musketeer (the British military code name) and perhaps more fitting the Egyptian description as the Tripartite Aggression. After the war of 1948-49 Israeli-Arab relations during 1949-1956 was an unremitting, if generally low-key, conflict. Leaders and news media on both sides regularly voiced propaganda and traded threats, and the Arab world closed ranks in waging political warfare against Israel. A comprehensive Arab economic boycott was imposed, including the closure by Egypt of the Suez Canal (July 26, 1956) and the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping and to specific goods (such as oil) bound for Israel. Coupled with regular border clashes along the frontiers resulted from Arab infiltration lead Israel to decided to invade the Sinai. 
Britain had is grievance with Nasser who tried to undermine its influence in the region and even more so the French who suspected Nasser of supplying the Algerians with arms in the bitter war for Algerian independence. The reluctant bedfellows and conspiring nations formulated their plot at Sèvres, they also set in motion military preparations. The Anglo-French buildup was a tortoise compared to Israel's hare, which would be able to mobilize 100,000 troops almost overnight and even make a feint eastward toward Jordan. Although Britain had 750,000 men under arms, many were committed to operations in the Far East, Africa and Cyprus. The French, somewhat more battle-ready after their Indochina war, nevertheless would have to borrow troops from their Algerian force. The nearest post suitable for gathering an invasion force was Valetta, on British-controlled Malta, nearly 1,000 miles northwest of the projected landing beaches.
The result was a fleeting military victory--and a lasting political disaster.
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