Netanyahu, Katz silently approved reconstruction effort in Gaza Strip inside Yellow Line - report

Army Radio reported that Netanyahu and Katz quietly approved new Gaza reconstruction east of Rafah within the Yellow Line, aiming to build housing for Palestinians outside Hamas control. PMO denied the report, calling it distortion and recycling old info, citing a pre-existing UAE pilot. Transportation Minister Regev supported recovery in demilitarized zones, while protest groups condemned the plan as a terrorism resuscitation.

Army Radio reported on Sunday morning that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz quietly approved new development and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip two weeks ago. The location for new construction is east of Rafah, within the Yellow Line, with plans to build new living spaces for Palestinians outside of Hamas' control. Security sources said the workers would be Gazan Palestinians, currently undergoing background checks by the Shin Bet. The Prime Minister's Office denied the report, saying it "distorts the facts and recycles old information," and described the project as a pre-existing UAE pilot that has been ongoing for several months. The PMO also denied that critical infrastructure like electricity, water, and sewage would be worked on by Gazan workers. Transportation Minister Miri Regev responded, saying "We want Gaza to recover - the process can begin in any demilitarized zone." The Israel Envelope Forum and Tzav 9 condemned the report, stating there is no demilitarized zone not held by their fighters, and warned that Hamas would return to a rehabilitated zone with weapons. They called it "a resuscitation plan for terrorism" and demanded dismantling Hamas and complete demilitarization before reconstruction talks.