'We will never leave all of Gaza': Israel's war minister signals permanent occupation
Tehran - BORNA - Katz made the remarks on Tuesday at a ceremony marking the relocation of the Israeli armed forces’ Binyamin Brigade headquarters and the construction of 1,200 illegal housing units in the occupied West Bank settlement of Beitin (Beit El) near Ramallah.
“We are located deep inside Gaza and we will never leave all of Gaza. There will never be such a thing,” he said.
He added that when “the time comes,” Israel plans to establish Nahal units in northern Gaza “instead of the [settler] communities that were displaced.”
His mention of “displaced communities” refers to Israel’s withdrawal of illegal settlements from Gaza in 2005, which was followed by the imposition of a crippling siege and naval blockade on the besieged strip.
"Nahal units" are part of Israel’s military framework for settler recruits, combining army service with pre-military training and volunteer programs.
These units have historically played a key role in creating illegal settlements throughout the occupied Palestinian territories.
“We will do this the right way, at the right time. Some people protest, but we are the ones in charge,” Katz declared.
The announcement directly contradicts the US-supported "peace plan" signed by Israel and Hamas in October, which calls for Israel to gradually withdraw from Gaza and prohibits the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the coastal territory.
Expansion of settlements in Gaza and the West Bank is illegal under international law. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s prolonged occupation of historic Palestine was unlawful and called for the removal of all settlements currently in the West Bank and East al-Quds.
The Israeli regime is approaching an election year in 2026, and illegal settlement policies are expected to dominate political debates.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Government Media Office reported on Monday that the occupying regime has already breached the ceasefire agreement at least 875 times, including 265 incidents of shooting at civilians, 49 military incursions into residential areas, 421 shelling attacks, and 150 home demolitions.
Since the truce began, at least 411 Palestinians have been killed and 1,112 injured in Israeli attacks.
End Article