Israel’s Pursuit of Greater Israel: Understanding the Gaza War and Regional Goals

By Shabib Ali

The concept of “Greater Israel,” rooted in biblical promises and Zionist ideology, envisions a Jewish state that stretches beyond its current borders, to include

Territories like the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, and parts of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and even Turkey. Based on its bible verses, which describes a land from Egypt’s Nile River to the Iraq’s Euphrates, this vision is not official policy but is championed by nationalist and religious factions within Israel and soon it will be driving force in their policy as per the actions of the current regime. According to some US officials, the ongoing Gaza conflict, has ignited by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel which became the sole trigger for her response and  killed over 70,000 Palestinians and displaced 167,376, according to recent estimates. However, Hamas claims its attack was a reaction to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This article explains that Israel’s actions in Gaza and nearby countries are driven not just by security concerns but by an expansionist agenda tied to the “Greater Israel” vision, with significant implications for the region.

The Gaza war, now two years long, has witnessed Israel’s continuous bombardment of civilian infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and refugee camps while blocking food, medicine, and humanitarian aid. Israel’s stated objectives are to rescue hostages taken on October 7 and dismantle Hamas, yet its actions suggest broader ambitions. By ordering thousands of Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City to the Al-Mawasi southern Gaza Strip, Israel has displaced populations into areas with no resources, where safety is not guaranteed. Many Palestinians refuse to leave their homeland, fearing life in refugee tents abroad with limited facilities further throw them in trouble. This mass displacement aligns with Greater Israel’s goal of clearing land for Jewish settlement, as seen in the West Bank, where Israel has already annexed significant territory. The occupation of Gaza, coupled with settlement expansion, as already Israel has established settlements in the Gaza, particularly in areas near its border, this appears to be a step toward erasing Palestinian claims to statehood, with Israel denying Palestine’s land rights and even targeting UN relief agencies.

 Israel’s military operations extend beyond Gaza, signaling a regional strategy. The disruption of Houthi leadership in Yemen, the killing of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, the fall of Syria’s Assad regime, and the assassination of Iran’s top military and nuclear scientists, all with U.S. support suggest a broader agenda to weaken Arab and Muslim opposition. Israel’s recent 12-day conflict with Iran aimed to overthrow the Ayatollah Khomeini regime but failed, though it damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iraq has also received threats, and Lebanon, despite ongoing “peace talks,” faces Israeli attacks, positioning it as a potential next target. These actions align with the Greater Israel map, which includes parts of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, providing Israel strategic depth and enhanced defense capabilities.

The Abraham Accords, facilitated by the U.S. under Trump, normalized Israel’s relations with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, and ongoing efforts are being made to foster it ties with the rest Arab countries seemingly to counter Iran and other non-state organizations which is major challenge for Israel alongside, it also want to bolster Israel’s military and diplomatic standing. This normalization smooth the path for Israel’s expansionist policies by reducing regional resistance. If Arab nations fail to counter Israel’s actions in Gaza and beyond, they risk losing territories included in the Greater Israel vision. Historically, Israel’s occupation began with the Balfour Declaration, followed by the capture of Palestinian lands, the Golan Heights, parts of Sinai (later returned to Egypt via peace accords), and now Gaza. Each conquest strengthens Israel’s position to pursue further expansion.

 Israel’s small territory, modest economy, and robust military rely on U.S. support, enabling its aggressive policies. Occupying Gaza allows Israel to transfer its population, establish settlements, and build defense bases, facilitating further territorial ambitions. Neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt face significant risks, as parts of their land fall within Greater Israel’s scope. Israel’s past attacks on Egypt (e.g., the Suez Canal crisis) and Jordan (e.g., the 1967 war) underscore this threat, despite Egypt’s strong military today. Lebanon and Syria, weakened by Israeli strikes, are vulnerable, with Hezbollah’s diminished capacity and Syria’s new U.S.-backed regime posing little challenge.

Efforts to resolve the Gaza conflict have failed. Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. have unsuccessful to secure a lasting ceasefire or hostage release. Qatar’s recent talks with Hamas leaders were damaged when Israel killed the son of a key figure involved in the October 7 attack, along with four other militants, violating territorial integrity. Israel claims to have rescued 207 hostages, with 48 still held, but its relentless campaign of killing tens of thousands and displacing many more—suggests the goal is not just to end Hamas but to occupy Gaza as part of Greater Israel. Israel may defeat Hamas, as it is not in a strong position now, but its ideology will likely persist and could still pose a challenge for Israel in the future. Similarly, the U.S. weakened al-Qaeda, yet it remains active in smaller forms.  Eliminating Hamas’s ideology is unlikely, and Israel’s focus on territorial control fuels the deadlock.

 The human toll is devastating. Gaza’s hospitals are closing due to bombardment, and daily attacks on civilian areas worsen the crisis. Israel’s blockade of humanitarian supplies and forced displacements mirror tactics used in the West Bank, where settlements have redrawn maps. By mid-2024, Israel had seized its hold on Palestinian land, denying Palestine’s existence as a nation. This aligns with the Greater Israel vision, which prioritizes Jewish sovereignty over biblical lands, regardless of international law or Palestinian rights

Israel’s actions in Gaza and the region reflect a strategic pursuit of Greater Israel, blending religious ideology and nationalist ambition. The Gaza war, while triggered by Hamas’s attack, serves as an excuse for occupying territory and displacing Palestinians. With U.S. backing, Israel’s neutralization of regional threats and normalization with Arab states strengthens its position to expand further. If unchecked, Israel’s neighbors risk losing territory and the region faces prolonged instability.

The writer is student of International Relations at the National University of Modern Languages Islamabad, Pakistan.