Brack: Israel no longer recognizes historical borders and is working to create buffer zones
U.S. special envoy Tom Brack revealed a radical shift in the Israeli concept of borders and neighboring areas following the October 7, 2023 attack. His remarks came during a podcast interview published on Friday, where he said: "In Israel's view, these lines and borders drawn by the Sykes-Picot Agreement are meaningless." He added: "They will go wherever they want, whenever they want, and do whatever they want to protect Israelis."
This shift in vision is no longer just rhetoric; it is being translated on the ground through clear military actions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his intention to establish a demilitarized zone in southern Syria that includes the Sweida Governorate, seemingly entrenching a policy of drawing new borders in which Israel acts according to its security standards.
In Lebanon, Israeli forces have strengthened their presence at five strategic points in the south and have refused to withdraw from them, as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed since last April that his forces "will not withdraw from the five hills." Reports have indicated that the Israeli army plans to remain in what are called "security zones" in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon "in any temporary or permanent situation," according to the Associated Press.
A map of southern Lebanon shows the distribution of Israeli points in a way that forms a buffer zone and a semicircle described as "protecting northern Israel."
In Syria, Israeli forces have infiltrated several areas in the south since last December, with the latest incursion being a new one west of "Ain Zivan" in the Quneitra countryside, according to Al Arabiya.
In Gaza, Israeli forces control more than 75% of the territory and continue to encircle and occupy the city of Gaza.
It is worth noting that the traditional Israeli stance, which considered the occupation during wars since 1948 as a "special case" and that these lands would be returned within the framework of peace agreements, as happened in Sinai, is no longer dominant. Current statements and actions, as envoy Brack explains, indicate that the October 7 attack "has radically changed Israel's thinking" and its view of borders, opening the door to a new phase of regional instability.
