Israel’s Katz doubles down on support of settlements in Gaza Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 12/25/2025 - 12:34 Defence minister insists he stands by calls to establish settlements in war-torn Palestinian strip Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz pictured at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem on 10 November 2024 (AFP/Menahem Kahana) Off Israel ’s defence minister has doubled down on remarks suggesting he envisions the construction of settlements in the Gaza Strip. Speaking at a conference on Thursday, Israel Katz said he continues to support the establishment of outposts in Gaza by the Nahal military unit, which often later become officially recognised settlements. All forms of Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law. Katz said this was the vision he believed in and that it would be carried out “in due time”. Earlier this week, Katz said that “when the time is right”, Israel would create what he described as “ Nahal ” settlements in northern Gaza. Hours later, his office stated that Israel “has no intention of establishing settlements in the Gaza Strip”. The apparent reversal reportedly followed concerns that the remarks could anger the United States. On Thursday, Katz dismissed suggestions that he had walked back his comments, reiterating his support for settlement construction. During the same conference, he said Israel “will never fully withdraw” from the Gaza Strip. “There will be a significant security area inside the Strip, even after we move to stage two [of the ceasefire] if Hamas disarms,” he said. In his remarks on Tuesday, he stressed that Israeli troops remain inside Lebanon, Syria and the occupied West Bank, claiming that Israel was creating a barrier between "jihadist enemies and our communities and residents". "We don't trust anyone, and no one will come and tell us - there will be no agreement, we won't move a millimetre in Syria." 'Ready to settle in Gaza' Several far-right settler organisations celebrated Katz's initial announcement, including the the Nachala Settlement Movement and the Yesha Council. The council, an umbrella organisation for settlements, said in a statement that the move will "make it clear to the enemy that for the massacre of 7 October [2023], he is paying with land and in perpetuity". 'Every border lasts until the next war': Israel’s settlers gather to ‘raise flag' in Gaza Read More » Meanwhile, Nachala said there are currently more than 1,000 families who are "ready to actually settle in Gaza", adding that Israelis want "Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip". "The public is ready, the families are ready, and the area is ready. Now a decision and immediate progress on the ground are required," it added. Building settlements and maintaining a permanent presence in the Gaza Strip clashes with US President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, which envisions a near total withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel previously built 21 settlements in Gaza before its military withdrew from the territory in 2005. There are also around 250 illegal settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, housing approximately 700,000 settlers. Israel's genocide in Gaza News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0