US accuses Israel of ‘provoking’ Arab world after Katz’s call for Gaza settlements

The Trump administration suggests Israel is harming efforts to advance peace in Gaza with Defense Minister Israel Katz’s comments in favor of building settlements in the Strip.

“The more Israel provokes, the less the Arab countries want to work with them,” reads a statement sent to querying reporters and attributed to a US official.

Katz said earlier today that Israel will establish Nahal pioneer communities in northern Gaza in what would amount to a defiance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war, which envisions Israel gradually withdrawing from the Strip, rather than establishing settlements there.

Hours after the comments by Katz — who has become known for staking hardline positions to cater to his Likud party base — the defense minister issued a statement clarifying that Israel has no intention of re-establishing settlements in Gaza.

While the comments were initially seen as a walk-back, Katz says his comments on such a move were made in a “security context” only. Historically, however, such communes have been precursors to full-fledged settlements, even if they are launched initially for supposed security reasons.

Ostensibly unsatisfied with Katz’s clarification statement, the White House felt compelled to respond.

“The United States remains fully committed to President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan, which was agreed to by all parties and endorsed by the international community. The plan envisions a phased approach to security, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza. We expect all parties to adhere to the commitments they made under the 20-Point Plan,” reads the statement attributed to a US official.