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

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly approved new development and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip two weeks ago, according to an Army Radio report on Sunday. The plan involves building new living spaces for Palestinians east of Rafah, within the Yellow Line, outside of Hamas's control, with Gazan Palestinians undergoing Shin Bet background checks for construction work. However, the Prime Minister's Office denied the report, stating it "distorts the facts and recycles old information," clarifying that the project is a pre-existing UAE pilot ongoing for several months and denying Gazan workers would handle critical infrastructure. Transportation Minister Miri Regev commented, "We want Gaza to recover - the process can begin in any demilitarized zone." The Israel Envelope Forum and Tzav 9 condemned the reported approval, arguing, "This is not a reconstruction plan - it is a resuscitation plan for terrorism."