Israeli DefMin vows permanent presence and settlements in Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israel will maintain a permanent presence in the Gaza Strip, vowing to create a wide security buffer around the territory and allow settlement construction in its northern areas. These comments, made on Thursday and repeated from earlier in the week, signal a firm rejection of a full withdrawal and have reportedly caused diplomatic tension with the United States.

Plan for 'Nahal' outposts and 'de facto sovereignty'

Katz specifically outlined plans to establish "Nahal" military-settlement outposts in northern Gaza, frameworks that combine army service with civilian settlement activity. He asserted that Israel would exercise "de facto sovereignty" over Gaza, a policy he compared to Israel's approach in the occupied West Bank. Despite reportedly angering the Trump administration with similar remarks on Tuesday—leading to a partial walk-back—Katz doubled down, rejecting claims he had retracted his stance.

Context of the Gaza war and US-Israel friction

These statements come amid a ceasefire that took effect in October, following a devastating war launched by Israel in 2023 that resulted in over 71,000 Palestinian deaths. Katz's vision of settlements contradicts key elements of the U.S.-backed ceasefire plan, which envisions an Israeli military withdrawal. Israeli media reported Washington conveyed "surprise and anger" to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, warning the comments could complicate Netanyahu's planned meeting with President Donald Trump.

Broader annexation policy in the West Bank

Katz's remarks align with a broader intensification of Israeli actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. He described a policy of "practical sovereignty" in the West Bank, involving settlement expansion and troop deployment. Approximately 750,000 Israeli settlers already live in West Bank settlements considered illegal under international law, with Palestinian officials accusing Israel of systematic efforts to annex the territory, which would effectively end the prospect of a two-state solution.