A New Rafah Without Palestinians: Israel's Plan to Rebuild Gaza in Its Image
Plans for a new "Rafah" city, touted as part of the US-led Board of Peace initiative, are set to be unveiled. The proposal calls for rebuilding every major city in the Gaza Strip from scratch, with Israel taking control of 75% of the territory and the remainder to be administered by a technocratic board.
Under the plan, a "digitally-driven smart city" is envisioned, complete with AI-optimized grids, high-speed rail, luxury beachside resorts, and more. However, many questions remain about its feasibility and potential consequences for Palestinians living in Gaza.
Gaza has been ravaged by conflict, with entire neighborhoods destroyed and infrastructure severely damaged. Despite promises of reconstruction aid, only a fraction of materials have entered the territory so far. Moreover, Gazans behind Israel's military buffer zone, known as the Yellow Line, continue to face displacement and demolition of their homes.
Netanyahu reportedly wants 70% of Gaza for Israeli settlers, with massive earthworks underway to create "Green Rafah." Meanwhile, Trump is pushing for a board that would control the Strip's development, effectively rendering it an international viceroyalty.
Critics argue that the plan ignores Palestinian concerns and disregards the existing power dynamic between Israel and Hamas. It also sidesteps questions about Gaza's future as a sovereign state or a permanent refugee crisis.
In short, Plans Call for "New Rafah" Built in Israel’s Image — Without Palestinians suggests that a new "Rafah" will be built according to Israel's design without any involvement of the Palestinian people in its decision-making.
Plans for a new "Rafah" city, touted as part of the US-led Board of Peace initiative, are set to be unveiled. The proposal calls for rebuilding every major city in the Gaza Strip from scratch, with Israel taking control of 75% of the territory and the remainder to be administered by a technocratic board.
Under the plan, a "digitally-driven smart city" is envisioned, complete with AI-optimized grids, high-speed rail, luxury beachside resorts, and more. However, many questions remain about its feasibility and potential consequences for Palestinians living in Gaza.
Gaza has been ravaged by conflict, with entire neighborhoods destroyed and infrastructure severely damaged. Despite promises of reconstruction aid, only a fraction of materials have entered the territory so far. Moreover, Gazans behind Israel's military buffer zone, known as the Yellow Line, continue to face displacement and demolition of their homes.
Netanyahu reportedly wants 70% of Gaza for Israeli settlers, with massive earthworks underway to create "Green Rafah." Meanwhile, Trump is pushing for a board that would control the Strip's development, effectively rendering it an international viceroyalty.
Critics argue that the plan ignores Palestinian concerns and disregards the existing power dynamic between Israel and Hamas. It also sidesteps questions about Gaza's future as a sovereign state or a permanent refugee crisis.
In short, Plans Call for "New Rafah" Built in Israel’s Image — Without Palestinians suggests that a new "Rafah" will be built according to Israel's design without any involvement of the Palestinian people in its decision-making.