Israeli Defense Minister: Israel will never completely withdraw from Gaza

Israeli media reported on Thursday (December 25) that Israeli Defense Minister Katz reaffirmed at an event on the same day that Israel "will never" completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip and will allow Jewish settlers to live in the northern part of the Gaza Strip at "some point in the future".

The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying that even if the Gaza ceasefire enters its second phase and Hamas disarms, Israel will still retain a "safe zone" within the Gaza Strip to ensure its security.

Hours after Katz said on Tuesday (the 23rd) that Israel would rebuild Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, his office issued a statement denying that Israel had any plans to rebuild settlements in the Gaza Strip.

According to a report by La Gazeta on Thursday, Katz also said on the same day that Israel would carry out a "de facto" annexation of the West Bank by establishing more Jewish settlements there and other means.

Israeli Finance Minister Motrich issued a statement last Sunday (21st) saying that the Israeli cabinet has approved a proposal to build 19 new Jewish settlements in the West Bank. He also said that this was jointly proposed by him and Katz. The government has planned 69 Jewish settlements within three years. This move will consolidate Israel's control over the West Bank and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The issue of Jewish settlements is one of the main obstacles to the peace talks between Israel and Palestine. In the 1967 Third Middle East War, Israel occupied East Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank and built Jewish settlements, which aroused strong opposition from the Palestinian side.

The population data report released by the Israeli government at the end of last year shows that about 510,000 Israelis are living in Jewish settlements built in violation of international law in the West Bank.