Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli media revealed on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz approved infrastructure work approximately two weeks ago in an area east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. This is part of a project known as “Green Rafah.” It aims to create a residential area for Palestinians outside the control of Hamas. Israeli Army Radio reported that the decision was made in conjunction with preparations for the deployment of a multinational force in the Gaza Strip. However, it was not announced at the time.
Infrastructure works in eastern Rafah
According to Israeli reports, the area targeted by the project lies within what is known as the “Yellow Line,” an area currently under Israeli military control. The planned work, according to Army Radio, includes leveling and preparing the land. It also includes installing water, electricity, and sewage networks. This is in preparation for the construction of housing for Palestinians in the area. The reports indicate that the workers and contractors involved in the project will be Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, they will also be subject to security checks by the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) before being allowed to enter the area.
No temporary housing at this stage
Reports indicate that the Israeli political leadership has not yet approved the placement of mobile homes or temporary structures at the site. According to i24NEWS, such installations are not expected to be permitted before November 2026. At this stage, only infrastructure and preparation work continues.
Netanyahu’s office denies some details of the report
In response, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office denied the Army Radio report regarding the nature of the project and some details of its implementation. The office stated that the report “distorts the facts and recycles old information.” It clarified that the project is a pilot Emirati initiative, ongoing for several months, to establish temporary housing in an area outside Hamas control. Netanyahu’s office also denied that workers from Gaza would be responsible for carrying out the infrastructure work related to electricity, water, and sewage. It stated that this work would be under the supervision of the Israeli army.
“Green Rafah” project
The term “Green Rafah” is used in Israeli reports to refer to the area east of Rafah. The area is being prepared as part of arrangements for housing Palestinians in an area not under Hamas control. Last July, Israel approved a proposal for a pilot phase of temporary housing in Rafah. This is part of arrangements related to the so-called “Peace Council” and post-war plans for the Gaza Strip.
Background on Rafah
Rafah is located in the far south of the Gaza Strip, bordering Egypt, and includes the Rafah crossing, a key point of contact between the Strip and Egypt. During the Israeli war on Gaza, the city witnessed extensive military operations and widespread destruction. At various stages of the war, it also became a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from other parts of the Strip. Rafah was one of the most prominent areas of Israeli military operations during the war. Particularly since May 2014, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in the city.
Reconstruction and disarmament of Hamas
Netanyahu had announced last January that Israel would not allow the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip before Hamas was disarmed. Current reports indicate that the work being discussed in eastern Rafah is taking place before the disarmament of Hamas is complete. Therefore, this work has become a focus of Israeli media coverage.
Multinational Force
The announcement of approval for the infrastructure work east of Rafah coincided with preparations for the deployment of an international or multinational force in the Gaza Strip as part of post-war security arrangements. Israeli reports indicated that the decision to begin the infrastructure work was made at the same time as the decision to deploy the multinational force. Separately, reports stated that the post-war arrangements include the establishment of facilities and sites for the international force within the Strip. This is part of new plans for a security presence in Gaza.
