Israeli Defence Minister Katz Vows Presence in Gaza

Jerusalem: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday asserted that Israel would “never leave” Gaza and pledged to establish outposts in the territory. However, his office quickly downplayed the comments, stressing that they were made strictly in a security context.

Katz made the remarks at an event in the Israeli settlement of Beit El in the occupied West Bank, stating that Israel’s presence in Gaza is necessary “to protect and prevent what happened” previously. He also mentioned plans to establish Nahal outposts in northern Gaza, replacing communities evacuated during Israel’s 2005 unilateral disengagement.

Shortly after, Katz’s office issued a statement clarifying that the government has no intention of establishing settlements in Gaza. The remarks sparked criticism from former army chief and former minister Gadi Eisenkot, who accused the government of undermining national consensus during a sensitive security period.

Katz’s comments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to implement the next phases of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The US-brokered 20-point plan under former President Donald Trump calls for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the establishment of an interim authority to replace Hamas, deployment of an international stabilisation force, and the demilitarisation of the territory. Hamas has refused to disarm, complicating the plan’s implementation.

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Tensions remain high: on Thursday, several Israelis entered Gaza against army orders, holding a symbolic flag-raising ceremony to call for the reoccupation and resettlement of the territory.

Katz’s remarks have intensified concerns over potential setbacks to diplomatic efforts and the fragile ceasefire, highlighting the complex and volatile situation in Gaza.