Israel maintains military presence in Gaza and West Bank despite truce and court pressure

One year after a White House-promoted truce agreement took effect in October 2025, the situation in Gaza remains volatile. While the initial 20-point plan aimed for a ceasefire, partial Israeli troop withdrawal, hostage releases, and increased humanitarian aid, the process has stalled. Israel currently controls approximately two-thirds of the Gaza Strip, and over 1.2 million Palestinians continue to face acute hunger. Israel has maintained that total disarmament of Hamas is a prerequisite for fulfilling its commitments.

In the West Bank, tensions persist regarding Palestinian refugees displaced during the ‘Iron Wall’ operation. The Israeli High Court of Justice has requested a timeline from the Ministry of Defense and the military regarding the return of over 33,000 Palestinians from the Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams camps. However, Defense Minister Israel Katz has asserted that the military presence in these areas is permanent, arguing that such decisions are beyond judicial oversight. Katz cited an 80 percent decrease in terrorism in the West Bank as a result of this presence.