'No Palestinian state,' defense minister says ahead of UN vote
Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated the Israeli government's intention to block any independent Palestinian state in a post to X on Sunday, ahead of Monday's planned United Nations Security Council vote on key elements of the Gaza ceasefire.
Katz's latest remarks come as discussions over the next phase of the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire continue. Phase one of the agreement came into force in October, facilitating the return of living and dead hostages from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Phase two will focus on demilitarization and security measures, which include the proposed formation of an international security force to oversee Hamas' disarmament.
"Israel's policy is clear: no Palestinian state will be established," Katz wrote. "Gaza will be de-fortified down to the last tunnel and Hamas will be disarmed in the yellow side by the IDF and in the old Gaza by the international force -- or by the IDF," he added.
The "yellow side" was a reference to the so-called "yellow line," a demarcation line inside Gaza to which the IDF withdrew per last month's ceasefire deal.
The Israel Defense Forces will also "remain at the peak of Mount Hermon and in the security zone," Katz said, referring to the strategic mountaintop area just inside Syria's border occupied by IDF troops earlier this year.
Reports this week suggested Israeli concern over possible U.S. pressure to withdraw from the mountain following Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's recent White House visit.
