Israel Expands Gaza Control to 70% as Southern Lebanon Offensive Displaces 1 Million
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
Israel Expands Gaza Control to 70% as Southern Lebanon Offensive Displaces 1 Million
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
Summary
70% of Gaza could soon fall under Israeli control, according to Benjamin Netanyahu, marking a further expansion of Israel’s post-Oct. 7 military posture.
More than 1 million residents have been driven from southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops have seized a broad swath of territory that officials describe as a buffer zone against Hezbollah rockets.
That territorial push extends beyond Gaza and Lebanon: the article says Israel also occupied an area in southwest Syria as Damascus fell and has backed policies aimed at concentrating Gaza’s population into Rafah.
The opinion piece argues these moves reflect a broader shift from Israel’s past land-for-peace approach toward a strategy of gaining land and weakening neighboring adversaries after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
As Israel expands its borders, is it risking its economic future and losing its most educated citizens?
After displacing millions, what is the ultimate plan for the non-Jewish populations in Israel's newly controlled lands?
With its leader facing an ICC warrant, can Israel's 'superpower' ambitions defy international law without consequence?
Over 2 Million Displaced: Humanitarian Crisis, Buffer Zones, and Cultural Loss in Gaza and Southern Lebanon (2024–2026)
Overview
As of June 2026, the Middle East faces a severe humanitarian crisis and cultural devastation, especially in Gaza and southern Lebanon. Civilians endure displacement, ongoing hostilities, and a lack of aid, while ancient cultural sites are increasingly threatened. In Gaza, the situation is worsened by continued military strikes and the Israeli military’s expansion of control to 70% of the territory, further restricting humanitarian access. Displaced families are forced to live in tents, exposed to danger and hardship. These conditions highlight the escalating challenges for both civilians and aid organizations in the region.