Israeli Defence Minister Vows Permanent Gaza Military Presence, Defying US-Backed October Peace Plan
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared the military will never fully withdraw from Gaza, planning new army outposts in defiance of a US-backed peace plan signed in October. The move challenges the fragile ceasefire and signals a push for settlement expansion.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday declared that Israel's military will never fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip and plans to establish a permanent army unit inside the enclave. The statement represents a direct challenge to a United States-backed peace plan signed by Israel and Hamas in October, which explicitly calls for a full Israeli military withdrawal from the territory.
A Direct Challenge to the Ceasefire Accord
Speaking at a ceremony in Jerusalem, Katz asserted that Israeli forces would remain deployed throughout Gaza. We are located deep inside Gaza, and we will never leave all of Gaza,” he said, adding, “We are there to protect.”
According to Israeli media reports, Katz also detailed plans for long-term military infrastructure. “In due course, we will establish Nahal [an Israeli infantry brigade] outposts in northern Gaza in place of the settlements that were uprooted,” he stated.
Background: Nahal units are unique military formations that combine army enlistment with civilian service. Historically, they have played a significant role in establishing new Israeli communities and settlements.
US Pushback and a Swift Clarification
The initial comments reportedly caused displeasure among US officials, who demanded clarification. Hours later, Katz issued a revised statement in English to the Reuters news agency, reframing the plan. He stated that Nahal units would be stationed in Gaza “only for security reasons,” appearing to walk back the implication of establishing new civilian-linked outposts.
Settlement Expansion in the West Bank
Katz's remarks on Gaza were delivered at an event in the occupied West Bank celebrating the approval of 1,200 new housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Beit El. He described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition as a “settlements government,” emphasizing its commitment to expansion ahead of an expected election year in 2026.
If we can get sovereignty, we will bring about sovereignty. We are in the practical sovereignty era.
— Israel Katz, Israeli Defence Minister
Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal. The transfer of an occupying power’s civilian population into occupied territory is considered a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Ongoing Violence and Human Toll
Despite the ceasefire agreement, violence continues. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the conflict has resulted in a staggering human cost:
- Since October 7, 2023: 70,942 Palestinians killed and 171,195 wounded.
- Since the October 11 ceasefire: At least 406 Palestinians killed and 1,118 injured.
Separately, Palestinian officials report that violence by Israeli forces and settlers across the West Bank has led to more than 1,100 Palestinians killed, about 11,000 wounded, and over 21,000 arrested.
Katz's comments reveal a significant rift between Israel's publicly stated commitment to a US-brokered peace and the long-term security vision of its defense establishment. This dual-track approach—agreeing to diplomatic terms while planning for indefinite occupation—could destabilize the fragile ceasefire and alienate key international partners. It also signals the powerful influence of the settlement movement within Netanyahu's government, suggesting that domestic political pressures may ultimately override international agreements.
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