Findings show Israel holds 1,000sq km of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria under direct military rule.

After the last few years of war, Israel controls adjacent territory in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Israeli officials say these areas are security buffer zones. But some in Israel want to permanently extend their country's borders,

In a joint statement released after a fourth round of U.S.-mediated talks at the State Department, the two sides said the ceasefire “is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives” from areas south of the Litani River.

As concerns mount that Israel’s parallel war with Lebanon could jeopardize progress in U.S.-Iran peace deal talks, here’s what to know about the conflict, its key players, and the steeped history behind the clashes.

Israeli offensive marks deepest incursion into country in 26 years and comes shortly before talks due to be held in the US