JERUSALEM — Israel will not fully withdraw its military from the Gaza Strip, Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday, signaling a long-term Israeli security presence despite a U.S.-backed agreement that envisions a complete pullout from the territory.

Katz said Israeli forces would remain inside Gaza to prevent a repeat of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel and that a new civilian-military framework would be established in the enclave.

“We are located deep inside Gaza and we will never leave all of Gaza. There will never be such a thing. We are there to protect, to prevent what happened,” Katz said in a speech, Reuters reported.

Under a U.S.-backed peace plan signed by Israel and Hamas in October, Israel is expected to gradually withdraw all of its forces from Gaza and not re-establish civilian settlements in the coastal territory.

Katz’s comments appeared to challenge that framework, even as the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to comment on the remarks.

Referring to future military arrangements, Katz said Israel would form Nahal units — a military track combining civilian and army service — in northern Gaza.