• Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirms that the military will not fully withdraw from Gaza.
• Plans for establishing civilian-military Nahal units in Gaza are underway.
• Katz's statements contradict a US-backed peace plan calling for military withdrawal.
• Expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank remains a contentious issue ahead of upcoming elections.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that the Israeli military will "never fully withdraw" from the Gaza Strip, asserting that security concerns necessitate a continued presence. Katz disclosed plans to establish a civilian-military army unit in Gaza, demonstrating a commitment to maintain a military footing that contradicts a recent U.S.-backed peace agreement aimed at a full withdrawal. "We are located deep inside Gaza and we will never leave all of Gaza," Katz expressed during a press conference, underscoring Israel's protective measures following ongoing conflict with Hamas, particularly referencing the raid on October 7, 2023, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

In his comments, Katz indicated that Israeli forces would establish Nahal units in northern Gaza, which would replace evacuated settlements. These military formations serve both military and civilian purposes, integrating community-building with national service. Katz emphasized that this new military presence in Gaza is primarily focused on security, contrasting with previous agreements that prohibit such actions, according to Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.

Katz's assurances come at a politically charged time as Israel approaches elections in 2026, where settlement policies are crucial points of debate. He characterized the current government as a "settlements government," suggesting an aggressive approach to territorial claims. In addition to Gaza, Katz remarked on Israel's firm stance in occupied Syrian territories, declaring that "we will not move an inch from Syria," and emphasizing the military's operations there as necessary, thus broadening the scope of Israeli military ambitions in both Gaza and Syria, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.