Israel seized more land from neighbors since 2023 than it has in decades

Israel has significantly expanded its militarily occupied territory since 2023, seizing roughly 1,000 square kilometers of land in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. This represents the largest territorial expansion in decades, an area larger than many major cities, and Israel has indicated plans to retain control indefinitely.

The land seizures began following Hamas's cross-border attack in 2023, which triggered conflicts on multiple fronts. The Israeli military occupied substantial parts of Gaza during a broad invasion and later took control of areas in Lebanon and Syria. Israel designates these regions as "buffer zones," asserting their necessity for preventing future attacks by militant groups.

In Gaza and Lebanon, these land seizures and evacuation warnings have displaced over 3 million people. Israeli troops have demolished towns and neighborhoods, creating large, depopulated zones. While these "buffer zones" are not formal borders requiring bilateral agreement, many fear these territorial changes could become permanent. Experts from the Carnegie Middle East Center estimate Israel now holds 608 square kilometers in Lebanon, leading to the displacement of approximately 1.2 million Lebanese.

Israel's borders have historically been fluid, shifting through wars, annexations, ceasefires, and peace agreements since its founding in 1948. The current expansion, particularly in Lebanon following a collapsed ceasefire, has led to Hezbollah condemning Israel's presence and the Lebanese government calling for withdrawal. In Gaza, after withdrawing troops to a "yellow line" zone post-ceasefire, Israel maintains control over just over half the strip.