WSJ: Israel Won't Leave Gaza, Will Build Settlements, Defense Minister Says Statements are at odds with Trump's multipha [View all]

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Israel Won’t Leave Gaza, Will Build Settlements, Defense Minister Says
Statements are at odds with Trump’s multiphase peace plan for the enclave

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-wont-leave-gaza-will-build-settlements-defense-minister-says-42d05b3a

By Anat Peled

Updated Dec. 23, 2025 12:14 pm ET


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TEL AVIV—Israel’s defense minister said the country would never leave Gaza and would eventually build Jewish settlements there, statements at odds with President Trump’s multiphase plan for the enclave.

Defense Minister Israel Katz made the remarks at an event celebrating an agreement to build new housing units in the Israeli-occupied West Bank that included government and military officials. They came ahead of an expected meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump.

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