News|Israel-Palestine conflictIsrael will never fully withdraw from Gaza, defence minister saysIsrael Katz says military units will be established inside the Palestinian enclave, in contravention of the truce agreement.

On Tue, Oct 11, 2023, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that the Israeli military would maintain a presence in the Gaza Strip . Katz stated that an army unit would be stationed within the Palestinian enclave, despite a United States-backed peace plan that calls for a complete military withdrawal.

According to Katz, Israeli forces will remain in Gaza for security purposes. Plans include establishing Nahal infantry brigade outposts in northern Gaza. Nahal units combine civilian service with military enlistment and have historically contributed to the development of Israeli communities.

During a ceremony in the occupied West Bank, Katz announced the approval of 1,200 housing units in the settlement of Beit El, highlighting the current government's focus on settlement expansion. Katz emphasized the government's intent to achieve practical sovereignty in the area.

As Israel approaches an election year in 2026, settlement expansion remains a significant political issue. Some coalition members have expressed intentions to reoccupy Gaza and further expand settlements in the West Bank. Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal, with the transfer of civilian populations into occupied territories classified as a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Despite a ceasefire that began on Oct 11, 2023, violence persists across the West Bank and Gaza. According to Palestinian officials, recent conflicts have resulted in significant casualties and arrests. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that since the start of the latest hostilities on Oct 7, 2023, a substantial number of Palestinians have been killed and injured.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.