JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Israeli forces will remain in Gaza and maintain "security control" over the Palestinian territory, raising concerns that the latest round of ceasefire talks may face further deadlock.
During a visit to a buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, Katz said "security control in Gaza will remain in the hands of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)."
He stated that Israeli forces would remain in "security zones, buffer areas, and control positions" within the Gaza Strip, describing the measure as necessary "to ensure the safety of (Israeli) communities."
"There will be no Hamas government here, nor a Hamas military -- a new reality will emerge thanks to the ongoing fighting," Katz added.
The minister's comments came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and Hamas accused each other of delays in reaching a Gaza ceasefire agreement, each claiming the other had introduced new demands. A key demand by Hamas has been an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, which has been devastated by Israel's heavy bombardment and airstrikes. ■
