Katz reportedly told illegal settler leaders that outposts would be established in northern Gaza on land where settlements evacuated in 2005 once stood, contradicting Trump’s plan calling for a full Israeli military withdrawal from the enclave.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed on Thursday that Tel Aviv “will never leave” the Gaza Strip and that it would establish a “civilian-military army unit” in the north, instead of the settlements that were uprooted.”
“We are in deep Gaza, and we will never leave Gaza,” Katz said in a video shared by Al Jazeera.
“In time, and also in the north of Gaza, we will build a civilian-military army unit instead of the settlements that were uprooted,” he added.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli military “will never leave Gaza”, announcing plans to establish a “civilian-military army unit” to replace illegal Israeli settlements dismantled in 2005. pic.twitter.com/oJvGD1Am5G
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 23, 2025
Katz made the remarks at an educational conference, the Anadolu news agency reported, citing Haaretz.
US Reportedly Angered
The official made similar remarks on Tuesday about plans for settlement building in northern Gaza, that Hebrew media said angered the administration of US President Donald Trump and prompted Katz to partially walk them back, the report stated.
As Trump Talks Peace, Israel Decides Where to Attack Next – Analysis
Katz said it would be possible to establish Nahal outposts in northern Gaza “in an organized manner when the time comes.”
Nahal outposts are youth-based settlement frameworks overseen by the Israeli army’s Nahal Brigade that combine military service with settlement activity, according to Israeli media.
Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza, resulting in the deaths of close to 71,000 Palestinians, with more than 170,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.
Occupied West Bank
Rejecting reports that he had retracted his earlier comments, Katz said Israel would exercise “de facto sovereignty” in Gaza, similar to what he described as Israel’s policy in the occupied West Bank.
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Since the start of the military operation in Gaza two years ago, Israel has intensified actions aimed at annexing the occupied West Bank, including home demolitions, forced displacement and settlement expansion, according to Palestinian authorities.
Annexation of the West Bank would effectively end prospects for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as envisioned in UN resolutions.
‘Practical Sovereignty’
About 750,000 illegal Israeli settlers live in hundreds of settlements across the occupied West Bank, including about 250,000 in occupied East Jerusalem. Settlers carry out near-daily attacks against Palestinians in efforts to force them from their land, Palestinian officials say.
Katz said his vision since the start of the Gaza operation has included establishing Nahal military sites in northern Gaza, along with religious schools and other facilities.
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On the West Bank, Katz said Israel is implementing a policy of “practical sovereignty,” adding that current conditions do not allow for a formal declaration of annexation, including Palestinian displacement, troop deployment and settlement expansion.
Katz’s Message to Illegal Settlers
On Tuesday, Katz told illegal settler leaders that Nahal outposts would be established in northern Gaza on land where settlements evacuated in 2005 once stood. Those remarks contradicted Trump’s plan calling for a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
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Israeli media reported that Washington conveyed surprise and anger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over Katz’s comments, according to Anadolu. At the premier’s request, the defense minister later said the government was not seeking to establish settlements in Gaza, a statement widely seen as a retreat before he reiterated his position on Thursday.
Upcoming Visit to US
Israeli media warned that Katz’s remarks could complicate Netanyahu’s planned visit to Florida, where he is expected to meet Trump on December 29. The meeting is expected to focus on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon and Syria.
‘Illegal’ – UK Condemns Israel’s Approval of 19 New Illegal West Bank Settlements
Israeli occupation forces and illegal settlers have killed at least 1,102 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, injured nearly 11,000, and detained around 21,000 since October 2023, according to Palestinian figures.
In a landmark opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
(PC, Anadolu)
If Dondolf wants to save what little ” face ” he has left, he needs to attack the Israeli Jewish Nazis. Take them out of power, and dismantle the illegal state of fake Jews and real pedos. Stop being Israel’s ” useful idiot ” and destroy them.
Better yet, recruit Iran and Yemen then go attack together.
In Hebrew, Katz blurts out the plan. This flings shit on Trump’s fantasy – “Peace President”. In English, Netanhyu flatters Trump. So, Katz and Netanhyu are one, and Trump stroked.