- December 23, 2025
- 5:40 pm
- Middle East
Israel does not intend to leave the Gaza Strip even under the current ceasefire agreements. On December 23, 2025, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated this, commenting on the discussion of creating a civil-military administration in the enclave. His words signaled a reconsideration of previous approaches to the post-war arrangement of the territory.
This is not about a tactical pause or a temporary solution. The Israeli position is formulated strictly: security is more important than the formal points of agreements.
According to the plan supported by the US and signed by Israel and Hamas in October, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip was envisaged. However, Katz made it clear that these provisions are no longer considered unconditional. As an argument, he recalled the attack on October 7, 2023, calling it a point after which previous guarantees lost their meaning.
Israel proceeds from the fact that the absence of permanent control creates a security vacuum. And this vacuum has already been used against the country once.
Against this background, another, more long-term element appears in Katz’s statements. He announced plans to form “Nahal” units in northern Gaza — in the future, “at the right time and with appropriate preparation.” This refers to a structure historically associated with Israeli communities, combining military service with civilian participation.
“Nahal” units are known for their integration model: a year of pre-military preparation, volunteer programs, participation in the life of the territories. This is not just a military measure, but a tool for consolidating presence — social and infrastructural. This approach reflects Israel’s desire not to limit itself to short-term operations.
The historical context is crucial here.
The withdrawal of all Jewish settlements from Gaza in 2005 remains one of the most painful topics in Israeli politics. The decision at the time was seen as a step towards de-escalation. In fact, it became a starting point for the strengthening of Hamas and subsequent cycles of violence. Katz’s current statements are perceived by many in Israel as a direct response to the experience of almost two decades ago.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains extremely unstable. The ceasefire was once again threatened after an incident with an armed militant crossing into an area under Israeli control. In response, the Israel Defense Forces struck Hamas targets in Gaza.
This underscores the fragility of any agreements in the region, where even a single episode can lead to escalation.
In the defense minister’s statements, a new framework emerges: Israel is no longer ready to separate diplomacy and security issues. Any political formulas will be secondary to threat control. In this sense, Gaza is viewed not as a temporary crisis but as a long-term factor in regional security.
This is how Israeli strategy is being formed today — strictly, without illusions, and taking past mistakes into account. This shift is already becoming part of the new reality of the Middle East, closely monitored by NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency.
