Israel’s occupation of Gaza, Lebanon, Syria extends beyond what maps show
Key takeaways
- Findings show Israel holds 1,000sq km of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria under direct military rule.
- After every ceasefire agreement, a map has emerged, and after every map, questions on the ground arise: Where do the forces actually stand?
- The Digital Investigations Team at Al Jazeera’s Open Source Unit tracked three areas where new borders for the Israeli military presence have taken shape: the Gaza Strip, southern Lebanon, and southern Syria.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Findings show Israel holds 1,000sq km of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria under direct military rule.
xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogle Add Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Israeli tanks drive along the road between destroyed houses in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel, on April 29, 2026 [Jalaa Marey/AFP]By Al Jazeera Investigative Unit Published On 26 May 202626 May 2026Since October 7, 2023, Israeli military control maps in its surrounding areas are no longer merely lines announced in official statements or drawn on military maps.
After every ceasefire agreement, a map has emerged, and after every map, questions on the ground arise: Where do the forces actually stand? Do the field markers, demolition operations, and military positions match what is declared on paper?