A Controversial Vision for Gaza

In a shocking statement, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's extreme right finance minister, has declared that the Gaza Strip could transform into a "real estate bonanza". This bold claim comes as he reportedly engages in discussions with the US over plans to partition the territory following ongoing conflicts.

Business Plans and International Backlash

While addressing an audience in Tel Aviv, Smotrich boasted that a business plan is allegedly under consideration by former President Trump, suggesting a shift from destruction to reconstruction, stating, "We've done the demolition phase... Now we need to build." This plan echoes Trump's previous controversial suggestion that the US should take a "long-term ownership position" over Gaza, envisioning it as the "Riviera of the Middle East."

Humanitarian Concerns Ignored

This proposal raises serious ethical questions, as it fundamentally relies on the forced displacement of Palestinians, a move that breaches international law. Despite claims of "voluntary" emigration by the US and Israel, the international community has uniformly condemned these ideas.

Past Plans Resurface With New Possibilities

Previous iterations of Trump's plan were met with widespread rejection from Palestinians and Arab nations. However, recent reports from the Washington Post suggest that a revival of this concept is under consideration, possibly transforming Gaza into a US-administered trusteeship for at least a decade, aimed at developing it into a tourist hub and high-tech manufacturing center.

Widespread Destruction in Gaza

As the Israeli military campaign in Gaza continues, the humanitarian crisis deepens. The United Nations estimates that up to 92% of housing units have suffered damage or destruction. Furthermore, 91% of schools may need extensive repairs, and 86% of agricultural land is affected. The cost for reconstruction has been tentatively set at a staggering $53.2 billion over the next decade.

The Conflict's Toll and Smotrich's Callous Remarks

Smotrich stated, "We paid a lot of money for this war, so we need to figure out how to profit from the land later." His rhetoric underscores a troubling trend; as a leader of the religious right in Israel and a known inciter of violence against Palestinians, Smotrich has been sanctioned by several nations.

Expansionist Policies and Settler Influence

His expansionist policies in the West Bank are notorious, including a recent proposition for annexing 82% of the territory, framed by the principle of acquiring "maximum land with minimum Arabs." Such statements only fuel tensions in a region where approximately 3.3 million Palestinians coexist with Israeli settlers—around 700,000 of whom live in settlements deemed illegal under international law.

War Casualties and Allegations of Genocide

Since Israel commenced its offensive following a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties, estimates report over 65,000 Palestinians—almost half of them women and children—have been killed in subsequent Israeli strikes. Additionally, a recent UN inquiry has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a charge that the Israeli government vehemently denies.