During an event celebrating the construction of 1,200 new homes in the West Bank settlement of Beit El, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz proposed the restoration of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip in areas evacuated as part of the 2005 disengagement plan. Katz defended that, as Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel reported, these measures were part of a new era of sovereignty and opportunity for Israel, and stated that the Israeli presence in Gaza would not stop despite international pressure and American proposals for the Palestinian enclave.
According to The Times of Israel, Katz stated that Israel is not considering a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip under any scenario and stressed that there are plans to re-establish settlements in the region. These statements contradicted the position of US President Donald Trump and his diplomatic initiative for the future of the territory, which promotes Israel’s withdrawal. Katz said literally: “When the time comes, with God’s help we will establish pioneer groups in the northern Gaza Strip, in the place where the evacuated settlements were (…) We will do it in the right way at the right time.”
These words reiterate the Israeli Defense Minister’s rejection of US approaches, which currently enjoy the support of much of the international community. Katz stressed: “We will never leave Gaza. That will not happen. We are there to defend ourselves and prevent what happened from happening again,” referring to the October 7, 2023 attacks in which nearly 1,200 people died and about 250 were kidnapped, according to the Times of Israel. In his opinion, Israel’s military and civilian presence in the Gaza Strip represents an essential element of security policy to prevent new similar episodes.
In the diplomatic context, this statement comes a few days after the statement by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who described as “essential” the start of the second phase of the plan for the Gaza Strip negotiated between Washington and Israel. According to The Times of Israel, Guterres stressed that the first phase – agreed in October after negotiations between Israel and Hamas – must be fully implemented before moving forward.
The first agreement reached in October involved the implementation of a ceasefire that has been in effect since October 10, although it is regularly interrupted by Israeli bombings under the argument of actions against “terrorists,” explained The Times of Israel. In addition, the pact called for the release by Hamas of living and deceased hostages, with the exception of one hostage whose body was not found.
As for the second phase of the US plan, information obtained by the Times of Israel states that it is considering the creation of a temporary authority headed by President Trump, whose task will be to monitor events in the Gaza Strip and coordinate the work of a multi-state international security force. Central aspects of the composition of this force and details of the Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza have not yet been clarified.
Regarding the settlements, Katz, during the event in Beit El to inaugurate new houses, defended that Israel is facing a context in which opportunities are opening up that have not existed for a long time, describing the current period as a time of “practical sovereignty.” The minister stressed that the strategy proposed by the Israeli government is to ensure a continuous military and civilian presence in places considered strategic, especially in Gaza, despite the commitments discussed at the international level.
The difference between the Israeli position and the proposal supported by the United States creates a scenario of disagreement that complicates the application of the second phase of the negotiation process, according to The Times of Israel. While the international community calls for promoting pacification and ensuring the well-being of Palestinian civilians, the Israeli authorities reinforce the discourse of continuity in the Gaza Strip and Israeli settlements, citing security reasons.
The reference to the Katz attacks of October 7, 2023 is intended to justify the permanent presence in Gaza as a defensive element and to reiterate that the policy of complete withdrawal proposed by the US government does not ensure the protection of Israel from similar scenarios.
Meanwhile, the second stage of the Washington-sponsored agreement remains unimplemented, awaiting international consensus on the formation of the interim government and proposed security forces. The differences between the governments of Israel and the United States, as well as international demands to advance the pacification process, keep the situation in Gaza in a scenario of uncertainty over its administration and political future, explained The Times of Israel.
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