Occupied Jerusalem – Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday vowed that Israel will remain in Gaza and pledged to establish outposts in the northern part of the territory. His remarks come amid a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking at an event in the West Bank settlement of Beit El, Katz said, “We are deep inside Gaza, and we will never leave Gaza – there will be no such thing.” He added that Israel’s presence aims to protect citizens and prevent past attacks from recurring.
Katz also promised to establish Nahal outposts in northern Gaza, replacing communities evacuated during Israel’s 2005 unilateral disengagement. He stressed the process would happen “in the right way and at the appropriate time,” according to Israeli media.
The defence minister’s statements drew criticism from former minister and chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, who accused the government of acting against the national consensus during a critical security period. He questioned the timing and strategy of the government’s Gaza policy.
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The remarks come as U.S. mediators push for the next phase of the Trump-brokered Gaza plan, which envisions an Israeli withdrawal, creation of an interim authority, international stabilisation forces, and Hamas disarmament—a demand Hamas has refused. Recent symbolic actions by Israeli settlers in Gaza have also challenged the ceasefire.