GHLands : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz have approved the start of infrastructure rehabilitation work in the “Green Rafah” area east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Israeli Army Radio.
The decision, which the radio described as the first of its kind, was reportedly made about two weeks ago, coinciding with the government’s approval for the entry of an international stabilization force into Gaza. However, the decision was kept confidential until Sunday.
According to the radio, “Green Rafah” is a residential project intended for Palestinians in eastern Rafah. The area is not under the control of Hamas and is instead expected to be administered by the international force. It is currently located within what is known as the “Yellow Line,” an area under Israeli military control that was extensively destroyed during the war.
Infrastructure Work Under Israeli Supervision
The approved rehabilitation work is expected to include land excavation and leveling, as well as the installation of electricity, water, and sewage networks, in preparation for the development of the area as a residential complex for Palestinians.
Israeli Army Radio reported that Palestinian contractors and workers from Gaza are expected to carry out the work after undergoing security screening by Israel’s Shin Bet security service. The screening is intended to authorize their entry into areas within the “Yellow Line.” The workers are expected to begin entering the area within several weeks, or shortly thereafter.
At the same time, Israel’s political leadership has not approved the entry of caravans or prefabricated buildings into the area for the time being, at least until November 2026, after the Israeli elections.
Dispute Over the Nature of the Project
In response to the Army Radio report, Netanyahu’s office said the report “distorts the facts and recycles old information.” It said that “Green Rafah” is a pilot project funded by the United Arab Emirates and located deep inside the Gaza Strip, adjacent to the “Yellow Line.”
Netanyahu’s office added that work on the project began several months ago with the aim of establishing a tent compound that would not be administered by Hamas.
It also said the Israeli military had so far carried out operations aimed at removing what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” from the area, including tunnels.
Netanyahu’s office further denied that contractors from Gaza would be responsible for carrying out electricity, water, and sewage works, saying that the work would instead be conducted under Israeli military supervision.
Meanwhile, Army Radio reported that Israel’s Defense Ministry had transferred responsibility to the U.S. administration for financing and managing factories located along the Gaza border that produce concrete materials used to seal tunnels. No further details were immediately provided.
Lieberman Criticizes Gaza Reconstruction
The move has drawn criticism from within Israel. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, said that rebuilding Gaza amounted to a political price Netanyahu was paying in exchange for his relations with the U.S. administration.
Lieberman accused the Israeli government of moving ahead with the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip while Hamas, according to his assessment, remains armed and capable of recruiting fighters. He also accused the government of concealing details of the arrangements from the Israeli public.
Talks on an Israeli Withdrawal From Gaza
At the same time, Israel’s security establishment is considering the withdrawal of Israeli forces from specific positions inside the Gaza Strip, paving the way for the deployment of a multinational international force.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that discussions held in recent days focused on specific locations from which Israeli forces are expected to withdraw, with international forces potentially deploying in their place.
According to the channel, Morocco is expected to be among the main participating countries, with around 500 troops, while talks are reportedly underway with Uganda over the deployment of a similar number. Other countries are also expected to contribute smaller contingents, with each sending only dozens of personnel.
These figures would represent a significantly smaller force than the initial plan, which envisioned the deployment of thousands of troops in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Security Concerns Over the International Force
Israel’s security establishment has expressed serious doubts about the ability of the proposed international force to establish an effective presence in Gaza, particularly given the limited number of troops expected to participate.
Channel 12 reported that the arrival of foreign forces in Gaza is not expected within the next six weeks, while Israeli security agencies have begun preparing for the possibility that the withdrawal and international deployment arrangements will move forward.
The channel quoted an Israeli security source as saying that the proposed troop numbers are “completely insufficient,” describing the expected force as extremely limited compared with the scale of the tasks it would be required to undertake.
The source added that the situation was “extremely concerning,” arguing that the United States was leaving Israel with little room to maneuver over the future arrangements in Gaza, despite Israeli security concerns about their potential consequences.
Warnings Within Israel’s Security Cabinet
These concerns come amid warnings reportedly issued by Shin Bet chief David Zini during a meeting of Israel’s security cabinet held last Thursday.
According to Israeli media reports, Zini warned against moving forward with the roadmap proposed by the “Peace Council” for the second phase of the Gaza agreement. He reportedly argued that Hamas’s agreement to disarm could, in his assessment, be part of an attempt to buy time and delay the resumption of Israeli military operations.
The developments surrounding “Green Rafah” and the proposed international force point to a new phase in arrangements concerning the Gaza Strip, amid continuing disagreements within Israel over the role of international forces, the future of the Israeli military presence, and the mechanisms for rebuilding Gaza.
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