By U.S. Embassy Jerusalem
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israeli forces will not completely pull out of the Gaza Strip and that a permanent military unit will be stationed within the Palestinian territory.
In remarks made on Tuesday, Katz said the Israeli army would continue to maintain a presence across Gaza, even though Israel and Hamas agreed in October to a United States-brokered peace plan. That agreement outlines a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave and explicitly prohibits the return of Israeli civilian settlements.
Katz’s comments suggest a departure from the terms of the US-backed framework, which was designed to end hostilities and restore Palestinian governance in Gaza following months of conflict.
The defence minister said the continued deployment of Israeli troops was necessary to guarantee Israel’s security and prevent the re-emergence of militant threats from within the territory. He added that a dedicated Israeli army unit would be established inside Gaza to maintain control and conduct security operations.
Under the October agreement, Israel committed to removing all military forces from Gaza as part of a phased process, while Hamas agreed to halt attacks and cooperate with international efforts to stabilise the enclave. The plan also ruled out the creation or restoration of Israeli civilian settlements in Gaza, a position supported by Washington and several regional allies.
Katz did not provide details on how Israel’s stated intention to maintain troops in Gaza would align with the commitments outlined in the peace deal, nor did he say whether Israel had informed the United States or other mediators of a shift in policy.
The comments are likely to draw criticism from Palestinian officials and international observers, who have repeatedly called for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in line with previous agreements and international law.
Neither Hamas nor US officials immediately responded to Katz’s remarks.
The Gaza Strip has been under intense military pressure since the outbreak of the conflict, with repeated calls from the international community for a ceasefire, humanitarian access and a political solution to the crisis.
Katz’s statement underscores the continuing uncertainty over Gaza’s future governance and security arrangements, even after the signing of a peace plan intended to bring an end to fighting and reduce long-term military involvement.
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