Netanyahu okayed reconstruction in part of Gaza outside Hamas control — report

Army Radio reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz quietly gave the go-ahead for rehabilitation work to begin in southern Gaza, despite vowing that reconstruction of the badly damaged Strip would only take place once the Hamas terror group disarmed.

The reconstruction work, which involves building infrastructure for the establishment of residential housing, is taking place in an area of eastern Rafah under Israel Defense Forces control, but near the Yellow Line that forms the ceasefire line with Hamas.

According to the report, Netanyahu and Katz gave the green light two weeks ago, albeit without announcing the move, as the International Stabilization Force set to take control of parts of Gaza readied to deploy.

The Army report claims that Gaza contractors and laborers will carry out the work after undergoing security checks.

In response, the Prime Minister’s Office says the work began months ago, as part of an Emirati-backed project for temporary housing “free of Hamas rule.”

“As of now, the area has been cleared of terror infrastructure and tunnels,” reads the PMO statement provided to Army Radio.

The PMO also says electric, sewer and water infrastructure work will not be performed by Gazans, and will be under IDF supervision.

In January, Netanyahu insisted that reconstruction in Gaza would be allowed only once Hamas first gave up its weapons, something it has refused to do thus far, though a recent US-proffered agreement, rejected by Israel, appeared to pave the way toward disarming the group.

“I am already hearing the statements that we will allow Gaza’s reconstruction before demilitarization,” he said at the time. “That will not happen.”

Responding to the report, Transportation Minister Miri Regev tells the station that rebuilding work can begin in any area of Gaza not under Hamas control.

“We want Gaza to recover,” she says.