Hamas condemns ‘Israel’ over plans to settle northern Gaza
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Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem criticized recent statements by ‘Israeli’ War Minister Israel Katz, who declared that ‘Israel’ has no intention of leaving the Gaza Strip and plans to establish settlements in its northern areas. Qassem described the remarks as a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and said they expose the extreme government’s ongoing agenda to expand settlements at the expense of Palestinian lands.
Qassem added that Katz’s statements reveal continuing government plans to displace Gaza residents and alter the demographic reality in the Strip.
“These statements do not only contradict the existing agreements but also clash fundamentally with the peace plan proposed by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, for Gaza and the wider Middle East,” Qassem said. He called on international and regional parties overseeing the agreements to take responsibility for addressing these aggressive declarations, which risk reigniting tensions and demonstrate a lack of commitment by ‘Israel’ to the ceasefire and reconstruction efforts.
On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Katz announced the government’s firm intentions to expand settlements across both Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He confirmed that ‘Israel’ will “never leave the Gaza Strip” and highlighted plans to establish what he called “settlement nuclei” in northern Gaza, to be implemented “at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner.”
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Hebrew media reported Katz emphasized the strategic importance of creating permanent settlement sites in the north of Gaza, describing continued military and civilian presence in the Strip as “a strategic decision that is irreversible.”
