Overview
- Israel’s defense minister said Israel will never leave all of Gaza and that Israeli forces will remain deployed to protect Israelis.
- Katz announced plans to position Nahal-linked outposts in northern Gaza, then issued a statement saying any deployment would be for security only and that the government does not intend to establish civilian settlements.
- Israeli media and Reuters reporting indicated U.S. officials were displeased with the initial remarks and asked for clarification.
- The remarks were delivered at a Beit El event that advanced an agreement to remove a regional brigade base and replace it with a planned 1,200‑unit residential neighborhood.
- Katz also said IDF bases evacuated from northern Samaria would be returned, drawing praise from the Yesha Council and criticism from former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot.