Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Tuesday that the military will not withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip for security reasons. He also announced that a joint civilian-military unit will be established in the Strip. According to the U.S.-backed peace plan signed by Israel and Hamas in October, the Israeli army is to gradually and fully withdraw its forces from the coastal sector, and Israel will not rebuild civilian settlements there. "That will never happen," Katz said. "We are here for protection and to prevent a repeat of what happened." In his speech, he added, "We are positioned deep inside Gaza and will not leave it entirely." Referring to Israeli army units, he said, "When the time comes, in northern Gaza, we will establish Nahal units instead of withdrawing."
