Tel aviv: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz renewed his pledge on Thursday that Tel Aviv "will never leave" the Gaza Strip, vowing to create a broad security zone around the Palestinian enclave and allow settlement building in the territory's north. Speaking at an educational conference, Katz stated that Israel would maintain a permanent presence in Gaza and establish a wide security buffer around the enclave.
According to Anadolu Agency, Katz made similar remarks earlier in the week about plans for settlement building in northern Gaza. These comments reportedly angered the administration of US President Donald Trump, leading Katz to partially retract his statements. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen Israel launch a war in October 2023, with US backing, resulting in significant casualties among Palestinians, particularly women and children. Despite a ceasefire proposed by Trump on October 10, Israel has continued to violate it, leading to further Palestinian deaths.
Katz further elaborated on plans to establish Nahal outposts in northern Gaza, which are youth-based settlement frameworks overseen by the Israeli army's Nahal Brigade. Despite reports of retracting his comments, Katz insisted that Israel would exercise "de facto sovereignty" in Gaza, akin to its policy in the occupied West Bank. Since the war began, Israel has intensified efforts to annex the West Bank, involving home demolitions, forced displacement, and settlement expansion.
The annexation of the West Bank, home to around 750,000 illegal Israeli settlers, would severely undermine prospects for a two-state solution as envisioned in UN resolutions. Palestinian officials report near-daily attacks by settlers aimed at displacing Palestinians. Katz's vision for Gaza includes establishing Nahal military sites and other facilities, and he described Israel's actions in the West Bank as implementing "practical sovereignty."
Palestinian authorities continue to urge international intervention to halt Israeli settlement activities, considered illegal by the United Nations. Katz's previous statements to settler leaders about establishing Nahal outposts contradicted Trump's plan for a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, leading to diplomatic friction. Israeli media reported Washington's surprise and anger over Katz's comments, prompting a partial retraction at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request.
Despite the diplomatic tension, Katz reiterated his position, which could potentially complicate Netanyahu's upcoming visit to Florida to meet with Trump. The meeting is expected to address issues related to Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria. Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir supported Katz's views, emphasizing a critical transitional period and ongoing missions across all arenas.
Israel has maintained a prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories and parts of Syria and Lebanon, resisting withdrawal or the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.