Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz has reiterated his desire to retain security responsibility in Gaza for at least several years.
Katz, in his statement to the German newspaper Bild and other Axel Springer publications, including Politico, emphasized that this approach would be pursued to ensure that Israel does not face attacks from Gaza residents in the future.
Katz stated that it is “nonsense” to ask Israel to consider a two-state solution after what transpired on October 7, a reference to advice from Washington and Berlin that a two-state solution is necessary to stop Israeli aggression in the territory.
The Israeli minister added that the Palestinians killed Jews, and because of this, the Palestinians will not be given the task of being responsible for the security of Jews in the future.
At the same time, he rejected calls, including from within his government, to reoccupy Gaza following the end of the war. He emphasized that Israel will not rule Gaza or make decisions about it. He emphasized, saying “This will not happen. The government’s policy is clear, and will remain so, even if stated otherwise by some ministers.”
Katz highlighted the necessity of establishing a model, with Arab and other countries, to allow over two million Palestinians in the territory to improve their living conditions in a way different from before.
In addition to Germany and the United States, Britain and the European Union have joined in efforts to push for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Since the “Operation Protective Edge” launched by Israel, a devastating war on Gaza, until Tuesday, it resulted in the martyrdom of 26,751 Palestinians and the injury of 65,636 others, most of whom are children and women. The aggression also caused massive destruction of infrastructure, leaving behind an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” according to Palestinian and international reports.
