Israeli Defence Minister States Full Withdrawal from Gaza Will Not Occur
Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as new developments emerge regarding Israeli military presence in Gaza, raising questions about the future of peace efforts in the region. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz’s recent declarations regarding the permanent military establishment within the Palestinian enclave contradict previous agreements that sought a full withdrawal and have potential implications not only for local stability but also for international diplomatic efforts.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that the Israeli military intends to maintain a permanent presence in the Gaza Strip, indicating that an army unit will be established within the Palestinian territory. This move comes despite a United States-backed peace plan secured in October, which initially called for a comprehensive withdrawal of Israeli forces and the prohibition of re-establishing civilian settlements in Gaza.
“We are located deep inside Gaza, and we will never leave all of Gaza,” Katz stated, emphasizing the military’s role in providing protection. He further indicated that Nahal, an infantry brigade, would set up outposts in northern Gaza, replacing previously uprooted settlements. Katz later refined his statement in English to Reuters, asserting that the Nahal units would operate in Gaza strictly for security purposes, a clarification that appeared to have been prompted by dissatisfaction from U.S. officials regarding his initial remarks.
Nahal units are military formations that blend civilian service with army duties and have historically contributed to the establishment of Israeli communities. Katz made these comments while attending a ceremony in the occupied West Bank to celebrate the approval of 1,200 housing units in the illegal settlement of Beit El. In his address, he described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration as a government committed to settlement expansion, hinting at aspirations of increasing sovereignty over these territories if possible. “We are in the practical sovereignty era,” he stated, signifying potential shifts in Israel’s territorial policies.
As Israel prepares for an election year in 2026, illegal settlement expansion emerges as a pivotal political concern, particularly among far-right and ultranationalist factions within Netanyahu’s coalition, who have expressed desires to not only reoccupy Gaza but also further extend settlements in the West Bank.
Under international law, all Israeli settlements in occupied territories are considered illegal, and the transfer of civilian populations into these lands has been classified as a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The growing violence by Israeli forces and settlers across the West Bank further complicates the situation, with Palestinian officials reporting over 1,100 Palestinian deaths and 11,000 injuries since the onset of Israel’s military operations.
Despite a ceasefire that began on October 11, the violence persists, with a reported 406 Palestinian fatalities and 1,118 injuries occurring during the ceasefire period alone. Since the beginning of the military conflict on October 7, 2023, Gaza has faced unprecedented devastation, with 70,942 Palestinian deaths and 171,195 injuries reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The ongoing situation highlights the urgent need for innovative diplomatic solutions and a renewed commitment to achieving lasting peace in the region.
#MiddleEastNews #PoliticsNews
