Israeli Defense Minister Retreats After Vowing to Resettle Gaza

Katz made the initial comments during a gathering focused on expanding Beit El, a settlement in the occupied West Bank. He spoke of deploying Nahal pioneer units—military groups that historically evolve into civilian outposts—to northern Gaza, asserting that Israel would remain in the territory to prevent future attacks. The rhetoric directly contradicted the 20-point peace plan backed by the White House and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which explicitly mandates that Israel will neither occupy nor annex the enclave.

The comments drew immediate fire from political rivals and international observers. Gadi Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff, accused the government of peddling dangerous myths for internal political gain while simultaneously endorsing a peace framework that requires a phased withdrawal. A White House official signaled frustration with the rhetoric, noting that such provocations undermine efforts to engage regional Arab partners. In an attempt to quell the controversy, Katz's office later insisted that the government has no intention of establishing settlements, emphasizing that the military remains the sole line of defense for the nation.