By Aaron Miller-
A controversial Israeli minister has said the Gaza Strip could become a “real estate bonanza.” Bezalel Smotrich, the country’s far-right finance chief, told a conference in Tel Aviv that a business plan for redeveloping the war-torn territory has been sent to Donald Trump. He also claimed he had “started negotiations” with the US on how to share the proceeds of any future deal. These remarks have sparked international outrage as they echo controversial statements made by Trump in February, when he spoke of turning Gaza into the “riviera of the Middle East” by relocating its population.
Mr Smotrich said Israel had already ‘done the demolition phase’ in Gaza. pic: Reuters
The minister, who is sanctioned by countries including the UK, Canada, and Australia, claimed discussions were already underway regarding how cash from redeveloping Gaza’s shattered landscape would be allocated. Smotrich said, “We have paid a lot of money for this war, so we need to divide how we make a percentage on the land marketing later in Gaza.” He added, “We’ve done the demolition phase… Now we need to build; it’s much cheaper.” Any effort to forcibly displace Gaza’s population for a building project would almost certainly breach the Geneva Convention and cause widespread international condemnation.
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The incendiary comments about Gaza real estate come as Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has intensified this week. It launched a major ground offensive to seize Gaza City and destroy Hamas. Thousands of civilians are heading south with whatever possessions they have in an effort to avoid being killed in the fighting. The operation has prompted widespread condemnation, with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper calling it “utterly reckless and appalling.” She helped greet Trump when he landed in Britain on Tuesday. The foreign secretary warned that this offensive would “only bring more bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians & endanger the remaining hostages.”
With no sign of an imminent ceasefire, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to soon announce Britain’s recognition of a Palestinian state. He could make the declaration this weekend to avoid causing division on the issue while Trump is in the country. This follows similar steps taken by Ireland, Spain, and Norway last year. Israel maintains that recognizing a Palestinian state is unacceptable, as it rewards Hamas and hinders the release of the remaining hostages. You can read more about the humanitarian situation from the UN. More than 65,000 people in Gaza have now been killed in the war, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. A UN commission this week reported that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza—a claim the country vehemently denies as “distorted and false.” The October 2023 Hamas terror attack on Israel saw around 1,200 people killed.
The video below reports on the plight of displaced Palestinians who have fled Gaza City due to the ongoing Israeli military offensive. These families have sought refuge in al-Mawasi, a small, overcrowded area in southern Gaza. The displaced families are living in inadequate, makeshift tents made from blankets and plastic sheets. The video highlights the severe challenges faced by these civilians, including an extreme lack of basic necessities. They have to wait in line for five to six hours to get non-potable water and are struggling to find firewood for cooking and warmth.
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The video also includes a personal account from a displaced man who describes the immense hardships of his family, including a lack of medication and the disappointment of his son, a top student, who is now unable to attend school or travel for a scholarship.
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