Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Israel “will never leave” Gaza, renewing vows to establish a wide security zone around the enclave and allow settlement-linked activity in its north. Speaking at an educational conference, Katz said Israel would maintain a permanent presence in Gaza and create a broad security buffer, according to the Haaretz newspaper. Katz had made similar remarks earlier this week about settlement building in northern Gaza, comments that Israeli media said angered the administration of US President Donald Trump and prompted him to partially walk them back.
