Israel's 'Silent Transfer': How Reconstruction Became a Tool of Control in Gaza
The reconstruction of Gaza, touted as a "New Gaza" by Jared Kushner and other Israeli officials, is being carried out under conditions that prioritize control over Palestinian life. The $70 billion estimated cost of rebuilding the war-torn territory has become a means to manipulate the population, suppress dissent, and solidify Israel's hold on the land.
The vision presented in Davos, Switzerland, differs drastically from the reality on the ground. Instead of new buildings and infrastructure, Gaza is buried under 61 million tonnes of debris, with many Palestinians still living in makeshift tents. The Israeli government has imposed strict controls on the entry of construction materials, cement, and steel rods, turning the process into a prolonged and arduous one.
Ihab Jabareen, a researcher specializing in Israeli affairs, argues that reconstruction is not about restoring Palestinian life but re-engineering it to suit Israel's security needs. "Reconstruction is not the 'day after' the war; it is the continuation of war by bureaucratic and economic means," he says. The Israeli security establishment views Gaza as a tool to shape its political landscape, leveraging control over basic necessities like shelter to silence opposition.
The "dual-use" rule, which has banned essential items from entering Gaza, serves as a mechanism to delay reconstruction indefinitely. By approving project-by-project, Israel exhausts donor countries and agencies, leaving Palestinian administrators in a state of constant begging. This tactic aims to keep the status quo intact, preventing any meaningful changes that might challenge Israeli control.
Gaza's Board of Peace plan, pushed by the Trump administration, is seen as a form of "silent demographic engineering." By promising economic growth and real estate developments, Israel aims to shift the focus from national rights to economic interests. This approach seeks to create an economically viable Gaza but one that lacks Palestinian identity and self-determination.
The consequences of such policies are dire. Palestinians face displacement through rational emigration, as they wait out the reconstruction process. The Israeli government is betting on this strategy, realizing that bombing brings international condemnation, while bureaucratic delay brings silence. As Jabareen warns, "Time decomposes societies," and Israel's tactics aim to exploit this vulnerability.
The international community remains complicit in these policies, prioritizing economic interests over human rights. As Gaza stands as one of the most devastated places on earth, its reconstruction has become a tool of control, designed to suppress Palestinian life and shape the future according to Israeli interests.
The reconstruction of Gaza, touted as a "New Gaza" by Jared Kushner and other Israeli officials, is being carried out under conditions that prioritize control over Palestinian life. The $70 billion estimated cost of rebuilding the war-torn territory has become a means to manipulate the population, suppress dissent, and solidify Israel's hold on the land.
The vision presented in Davos, Switzerland, differs drastically from the reality on the ground. Instead of new buildings and infrastructure, Gaza is buried under 61 million tonnes of debris, with many Palestinians still living in makeshift tents. The Israeli government has imposed strict controls on the entry of construction materials, cement, and steel rods, turning the process into a prolonged and arduous one.
Ihab Jabareen, a researcher specializing in Israeli affairs, argues that reconstruction is not about restoring Palestinian life but re-engineering it to suit Israel's security needs. "Reconstruction is not the 'day after' the war; it is the continuation of war by bureaucratic and economic means," he says. The Israeli security establishment views Gaza as a tool to shape its political landscape, leveraging control over basic necessities like shelter to silence opposition.
The "dual-use" rule, which has banned essential items from entering Gaza, serves as a mechanism to delay reconstruction indefinitely. By approving project-by-project, Israel exhausts donor countries and agencies, leaving Palestinian administrators in a state of constant begging. This tactic aims to keep the status quo intact, preventing any meaningful changes that might challenge Israeli control.
Gaza's Board of Peace plan, pushed by the Trump administration, is seen as a form of "silent demographic engineering." By promising economic growth and real estate developments, Israel aims to shift the focus from national rights to economic interests. This approach seeks to create an economically viable Gaza but one that lacks Palestinian identity and self-determination.
The consequences of such policies are dire. Palestinians face displacement through rational emigration, as they wait out the reconstruction process. The Israeli government is betting on this strategy, realizing that bombing brings international condemnation, while bureaucratic delay brings silence. As Jabareen warns, "Time decomposes societies," and Israel's tactics aim to exploit this vulnerability.
The international community remains complicit in these policies, prioritizing economic interests over human rights. As Gaza stands as one of the most devastated places on earth, its reconstruction has become a tool of control, designed to suppress Palestinian life and shape the future according to Israeli interests.
i mean who needs infrastructure when u can have a "dual-use" rule that just delays reconstruction indefinitely? it's like, israel's trying 2 make gaza into this economic experiment where ppl r more worried about getting a permit 4 a new building than having access 2 basic necessities 
what's next? will they be offering Airbnb rentals in gaza? 
anywayz i feel so bad 4 the ppl of gaza who r stuck in this limbo, waiting 4 reconstruction 2 happen but meanwhile their lives r still being controlled by israel 
. The fact that they're using $70 billion to control the narrative and keep Palestinians in the dark is just mind-blowing 
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they're just using it as an excuse to keep the population in check & suppress dissent. reconstruction should be about restoring life, not re-engineering it to suit israel's security needs. 
and this dual-use rule is like a slow poison, delaying reconstruction indefinitely so israel can maintain control. 
this isn't about peace at all, it's about maintaining the status quo & crushing any opposition. 
And don't even get me started on the "dual-use" rule... it's like they're playing a game of "Rock, Paper, Scissors"... but instead, it's Israel vs. Everyone Else 
! Anyway, I guess this is one way to keep the status quo intact – by making people wait for forever 
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can't believe the "new" Gaza is just a fancy name for a giant construction project that's more about keeping Palestinians in line than actually helping them rebuild 
. $70 billion sounds like a lot, but when most of it goes towards Israeli security and bureaucratic red tape, it's not exactly a blessing for Gazans 
. And don't even get me started on this "Board of Peace" plan – sounds like a total farce to me 
. Not exactly the kind of peace and prosperity that everyone was promised 
this is what i call 'silent transfer' - control over the land without even trying to hide it 
what's next? are we gonna see israel start selling gaza real estate as a tourist destination? 