Israel has spent nearly two years in a multifront war, creating and fortifying buffer zones within neighboring countries. The aim is to prevent militant groups from taking up positions close to its borders.
Critics warn that such operations have effectively widened Israel’s borders, violated its neighbors’ sovereignty, and risk fueling the same conflicts. “The IDF will remain in the security zones as a buffer between the enemy and the communities,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said.
Analysis of satellite imagery reveals a comprehensive network of fortifications outside Israel’s established borders with Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. In Gaza, at least 40 active Israeli military bases have been identified, while in Lebanon, Israel has remained at five hilltop positions since a February ceasefire agreement.
In Syria, Israel has launched strikes on military installations and supported minority Druze communities, establishing six outposts within the United Nations buffer zone. Satellite imagery shows IDF brigades carving a 20-mile trench stretching halfway across the region as part of its “New East” operation.
Critics argue that these actions risk antagonizing Israel’s neighbors, exhausting its troops, and triggering a wider conflict. The Israeli government maintains that expanding beyond borders is necessary for security, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying his decisions have already changed the face of the Middle East.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/israel-buffer-zones-borders-gaza-post-oct-7-military-doctrine