In a bold statement on Tuesday in the West Bank settlement of Beit El, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel will 'never fully withdraw' from the Gaza Strip or from Syrian territory. He also confirmed plans to establish new Nahal settlement groups in northern Gaza—forerunners to civilian communities.
These Nahal groups are military-backed outposts that can later evolve into full-fledged civilian towns. Katz said they’ll be built 'in place of' the settlements evacuated during Israel’s 2005 disengagement plan, but didn’t share a specific timeline. 🏘️
Despite a ceasefire that kicked in on October 10 of this year, Israel has kept up near-daily operations in Gaza, including airstrikes and building demolitions in areas where troops remain deployed. The situation has remained tense, even with the truce in effect. ⚔️
On Syria, Katz was equally firm. He dismissed U.S.-brokered talks as untrustworthy, saying, 'We don't trust anyone … no agreement. We will not withdraw even by a millimeter.' Israel moved into the buffer zone in southwestern Syria last year and now controls the peak of Mount Hermon. 🏔️
For many young people watching events unfold on their feeds—whether in Delhi, Jakarta or Manila—these developments underscore the long shadow of regional conflicts. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story. 🌐
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Israeli defense minister says Israel will not fully withdraw from Gaza
cgtn.com
