Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Israel intends to determine communities in northern Gaza “when the time is right”, within the locations of the settlements evacuated with the disengagement of 2005. Katz cited the Garinei Nahal, a navy program through which teams of younger folks enlist collectively after which kind civilian communities, including that Israel is “deep in Gaza” and that “it will never leave it completely” as a result of the presence would serve to defend and forestall a repeat of what occurred on 7 October 2023. His phrases, spoken in Beit El throughout an occasion linked to the development of one other 1,200 properties within the West Bank settlement, have triggered controversy and discontent. Later, nonetheless, the minister’s workplace clarified in English and Hebrew thatthe federal government “has no intention of establishing settlements” within the Gaza Strip and what the doable presence could be “for security reasons only”.
The strain after Katz’s sentences
According to the Ynet information web site, the clarification additionally got here after requests from the United States, which didn’t admire the scope of the statements. Katz thus traced the announcement to a “security context”, downplaying the speculation of latest civil settlements within the Palestinian enclave. However, the political message stays: Israel, within the minister’s phrases, doesn’t envisage a complete withdrawal from Gaza. An method that comes into stress with a US plan for the way forward for the territory.
Foreign media and struggle: Israel extends legislation till 2027
On the identical day, December 23, 2025, the Israeli parliament introduced the approval of an modification that permits the authorities to increase the broadcast ban for international media accused of undermining nationwide safety. The rule was adopted in April 2024, through the struggle between Israel and Hamas, and is described asdirected above all in opposition to the Qatari channel al Jazeeraoutlined by the authorities as a “propaganda organ” of the Palestinian Islamist motion. The channel, closed by the authorities, was accused of getting “actively participated” within the October 7 assault. Initially, the legislation was restricted to the length of the state of emergency declared at first of the battle.
West Bank: the PNA in opposition to the 19 new settlements
The Palestinian National Authority (PA) has condemned Israel’s plans to construct 19 new settlements within the West Bankarguing that the selection strengthens management over Palestinian territory. In a press release, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry referred to as the choice “a dangerous step” aimed toward consolidating “colonial control” over your entire Palestinian territory. The identical notice speaks of the continuation of “policies of apartheid, settlements and annexation” which, in keeping with the PNA, would undermine the “inalienable rights of the Palestinian people”.
Australia-Israel: invitation to Herzog after the Hanukkah assault
On the diplomatic entrance, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has invited Israeli President Isaac Herzog to go to Australia and the nation’s Jewish neighborhood. The Israeli presidency reported that Herzog advised Albanese to simply accept the invitation. The phone dialog, which passed off on the initiative of the Australian Prime Minister, was marked by “deep shock and dismay” for a lethal assault final week at a Hanukkah occasion in Sydney and by the “deep condolences” conveyed to the households of the victims. Herzog confused “the importance of taking all legal measures” to counter the rise of anti-Semitism, extremism and jihadist terrorism.
https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/katz-annuncia-insediamenti-gaza-poi-dietrofront-israele-proroga-legge-che-ha-fatto-chiudere-jazeera-AImuISY