US Issues Sanctions on Hezbollah-linked Targets

Israel has taken control of significant swathes of Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria over the past two and a half years, marking its most substantial expansion of militarily occupied lands in decades. This expansion, covering roughly 1,000 square kilometers, began after Hamas's October 2023 cross-border attack, which triggered conflicts on multiple fronts.

The Israeli military occupied large parts of Gaza during a broad invasion and later seized control of areas in Lebanon and Syria. Israel designates these territories as "buffer zones," asserting they are necessary to prevent future attacks by militant groups. The expansion has led to the displacement of over 3 million people in Gaza and Lebanon, with Israeli forces demolishing towns and neighborhoods, creating large depopulated zones.

While Israel does not consider these "buffer zones" as new borders, which typically require bilateral agreements, many observers fear these territorial changes could become permanent. The article notes that Israel has never had clearly defined borders since its founding in 1948, with its boundaries frequently shifting due to wars, annexations, ceasefires, and peace agreements.

In Lebanon, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in numerous conflicts since the group's formation in 1982. Israel occupied southern Lebanon from 1982 to 2000, citing security concerns for its northern communities. Following a ceasefire in October 2024, which collapsed in March, Israel launched a ground invasion into Lebanon. After fighting ceased in April, Israel announced its military would occupy an area up to 10 kilometers deep. Experts estimate Israel currently holds 608 square kilometers in Lebanon, prompting evacuation warnings for about 1.2 million Lebanese.

Gaza was seized by Israel from Egypt in the 1967 Mideast War. After a unilateral withdrawal of troops and settlers in 2005, Hamas militants took control of the territory. The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel initiated the current devastating war in Gaza. When a ceasefire took effect in October 2025, Israel withdrew its troops to a zone it controls, encompassing just over half the strip, displacing almost the entire population of Gaza.