Since October 7, Israel’s map has expanded eastward, westward, and northward. In Gaza, Israeli forces crossed the border line and established a new demarcation known as the “Yellow Line,” taking control of large areas of the Strip. In Syria, they advanced to the outskirts of Damascus, annexing parts of Quneitra and Mount Hermon. In Lebanon, forces pushed deep into the south, penetrating wide areas and beginning construction of a new wall.

The Israeli expansion along the three borders has been justified as the creation of demilitarized security zones to prevent a repeat of the October 7 scenario - namely, keeping armed groups away from Israeli civilian areas. However, beyond this security rationale lie political and economic objectives tied to Israel’s ideology and unveiled projects, which are the “Greater Israel” extending from the Nile to the Euphrates.

"Greater Israel"
The proposal to build a road linking northeastern Israel to northeastern Syria - specifically through the Kurdish region between Iraq’s Kurdistan Region and Syria’s self-administration areas - is presented as part of Israel’s broader expansionist agenda. Marketed as a “humanitarian” initiative to support Suwayda (Druze-majority area) following its clashes with Syrian authorities, the project masks a deeper strategic objective: Advancing Israel’s so-called “David Passage,” a corridor tied to its envisioned final borders at the Euphrates River.  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made no secret of these projects, repeatedly presenting maps from the Nile to the Euphrates and tying them to biblical and historical claims, considering himself on a "historical and spiritual mission," saying: "I am emotionally connected to the vision of Greater Israel. Thus, Israel is expanding its borders under security pretexts, while driven by political and historical motives."

U.S. President Donald Trump previously spoke about Israel’s territorial expansion, describing Israel as a “small country” in need of “more land,” according to Israeli affairs researcher Adel Shadid. He noted that such land lies in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. In his remarks to Annahar, Shadid added that Israel is seeking to weaken and fragment neighboring states in order to assert control over new territories.

Syria: A Model of multiple tactics
Syria may be the most prominent model in this context. Israel's effort in Syria aims, in one way or another, to weaken the central state and fragment it into sectarian regions. In Suwayda, Israel has sought to court the Druze community - going so far as to promote renaming Jabal al-Arab (or Jabal al-Druze) as Mount Bashan and encouraging the idea of a Druze statelet. These efforts align with Israel’s broader push to secure additional territory, alongside its ground incursion in Quneitra. 

However, Israel is currently unable to control the vast, Muslim-majority areas stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates, and therefore relies on multiple tactics. It maintains direct control over neighboring regions like southern Lebanon and parts of Syria, asserts security dominance across much of the Middle East, courts minorities such as the Druze of Suwayda, and - most alarmingly, according to Shadidn - facilitates the purchase of land in neighboring countries by the Jews.

Israel follows a “nibbling” policy, gradually expanding its control. In the West Bank, this approach has brought most areas under direct Israeli authority. The same tactic is applied in southern Lebanon and Syria, where Israel continuously seizes additional territory through new incursions. While framed as security measures, these moves also serve political and economic goals, including strategic pipeline routes from the Gulf through Syria to Israel and the Mediterranean. 

In conclusion, Israel has made significant strides toward its vision of a “Greater Israel.” While it may not yet exert full direct control over these territories, it governs some areas outright, maintains security influence over others, and could pursue economic leverage through new countries joining the Abraham Accords.

The question remains: Will Israel ultimately achieve this larger project in the long term?