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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, stated this Tuesday in a speech on the occasion of a ceremony in the settlement of Beit El (occupied West Bank) that Israel will never withdraw from the entire Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media.
"When the time comes, we will establish Nahal (Infantry) outposts in northern Gaza instead of the settlements that were dismantled," the minister said, according to the Israeli newspaper Ynet.
"We will do it the right way, at the right time. Some protest, but we are ministers," added Katz, according to the same media.
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The second phase of the peace agreement in Gaza proposed by US President Donald Trump includes the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, as well as the disarmament of Palestinian militias, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the creation of a transitional government. One of the main impediments that Israel puts for its implementation is that it still needs to receive the body of the last Israeli hostage. The first stage of the agreement, which came into effect on October 10th, included the cessation of hostilities, as well as the release of all hostages by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners on the Israeli side. Israel should also allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, Israeli attacks have not completely ceased, and their drones continue to fly over Gaza while troops shoot at those they consider to be getting too close. The death toll in the Gaza Strip exceeds 70,000, while the injured amount to more than 171,000 since October 7, 2023, according to figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health. That day began the current Israeli offensive, following the Hamas attack, in which it is estimated that more than 1,200 people died. During the event in Beit El, Israeli media reports that Katz also addressed the government's decision, made this Monday, to close the radio station 'Galei Tzahal', the station operated by the Army, which he accuses of having taken a political turn. "I have ordered that the soldiers of the broadcaster be assigned to combat or combat support functions. We are short of soldiers; the holidays are over," declared the Minister of Defense about a decision that has generated strong criticism both in the Army and among the opposition.
