Israel Approves Limited Reconstruction in Eastern Rafah, Gaza
Israel’s Army Radio has reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have approved the start of a limited reconstruction project in eastern Rafah in the Gaza Strip. This initiative is said to be part of a plan to establish a residential complex for Palestinians in areas outside Hamas’ control.
According to the report, the decision was made about two weeks ago alongside the approval for a multinational force to enter Gaza, though it had not been officially announced until now. The project is expected to be implemented in the area known as the “Green Rafah” in the eastern part of the city.
Doron Kadosh, a military correspondent for Israel’s Army Radio, wrote that the area lies behind the “yellow line” and is currently under Israeli military control. He claimed that the area has previously been evacuated, cleared, and leveled, and that infrastructure work including land leveling and installation of electricity, water, and sewage networks will be carried out there.
Kadosh added that the construction work will be performed by Palestinian contractors and workers residing in Gaza, but they will be subject to security screenings by Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, for permits to enter zones behind the yellow line.
Meanwhile, according to Kadosh, Israeli political officials have so far not approved the transfer of trailers or prefabricated housing units to the area, and it is likely that this part of the plan will not be implemented at least until the parliamentary elections scheduled for November 2026.
The claim of starting limited reconstruction in parts of Gaza comes as some political observers view this move as an attempt to demonstrate adherence to the ceasefire agreement and to increase international pressure on Hamas to disarm and to extract greater concessions from the group. Rafah, located in southern Gaza, has been a key hotspot in recent months during ongoing conflicts.
