Von den Siedlungen zum blockierten Wiederaufbau: Die israelische Strategie nimmt in Gaza Gestalt an

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has reiterated plans to establish illegal settlements in northern Gaza, marking a continuation of a broader Israeli strategy aimed at consolidating control over the territory. Speaking to Channel 14, Katz emphasized the need to set up three Nahal outposts, military installations combining agricultural activities with armed presence, in areas previously affected by conflict. He described the initiative as essential for enhancing security, though he acknowledged the necessity of careful planning and coordination. This proposal aligns with previous statements by Katz, including his December remark that the Israeli military would “never leave all of Gaza” but would instead establish Nahal posts despite a U.S.-brokered agreement calling for a complete Israeli military withdrawal and prohibiting the re-establishment of settlements. The idea echoes similar calls from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees the “settlement administration” within the Ministry of Defence. Smotrich has long advocated for the full occupation of Gaza, reinforcing the stance of Israel’s hard-right government. The push for new settlements reflects the ideology of Israel’s settler movement, which has increasingly gained influence within the government. In January 2024, the movement organized a conference attended by high-ranking officials, advocating for the re-establishment of settlements in the Gaza Strip. Former Israeli diplomat Alon Liel explained that this ideology seeks to remove Palestinians from Gaza and replace them with settlers, mirroring the situation in the West Bank. Under international law, all settlements on Palestinian land are considered illegal, yet Israel’s government has consistently pursued settlement expansion. Over recent years, this policy has led to the forced displacement of numerous Palestinian communities and effectively annexed parts of the occupied West Bank. Palestinian human rights defender Issam Younis, director of the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, noted that Katz’s latest comments were not unexpected. He pointed to the Israeli government’s actions during its genocidal campaign in Gaza, describing them as a deliberate effort to make life unsustainable for Palestinians. Younis highlighted how Israeli officials have used dehumanizing rhetoric, labeling Palestinians in Gaza as “human animals” and denying the existence of civilians. These statements, he argued, underscore the government’s intent to expel the population and establish settlements. This approach was further reinforced by an Israeli government agency established in early 2025, tasked with overseeing the “voluntary migration” of Palestinians from Gaza, a plan initially proposed by Katz. The initiative sparked global outrage, with experts warning that it could constitute a war crime. In response, the Israeli government rebranded the program as the “free movement plan,” employing language perceived as more palatable internationally. Despite the rebranding, the policy retains its core objective: the removal of Palestinians from Gaza. Public support for the policy remains robust within Israel. A 2025 survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania revealed that 82 percent of Jewish Israelis back the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. Meanwhile, nine months into a so-called “ceasefire,” the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues unabated. Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,127 Palestinians, leaving the region in dire conditions. As the situation deteriorates, the implications of these policies grow ever more severe, with the potential for further escalation and deepening suffering for the civilian population.