politics
Hamas Blocks Construction in Rafah Area Designated for New Palestinian City
Hamas prevented Gazan contractors from reaching a site in Rafah last week where construction was to begin on a new city as part of the Trump administration’s Gaza peace plan. The incident marks the first reported interference by the group in activities coordinated by the Board of Peace.
May 13, 3:46 PM·3m read4 sources
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Hamas blocked Gazan contractors last week from reaching an area in Rafah designated for a new Palestinian city under the Trump administration’s peace plan, according to Hebrew media reports. The contractors, who had come from across the Gaza Strip, told Kan News that armed Hamas members prevented them from proceeding even though the work had been coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces and the Civil Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat.
The workers were starting construction on New Rafah, a plan for more than 100,000 housing units. The new city forms part of a larger New Gaza plan presented by Jared Kushner at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January. The United Arab Emirates is underwriting the project with a reported $1.2 billion contribution.
The incident marks the first time Hamas has actively interfered in an activity coordinated by the CMCC and the Board of Peace, the body set up by the Trump administration to oversee the Gaza peace plan.
Hamas in Post-War Gaza A senior diplomat tasked with implementing the Trump administration’s peace plan for Gaza said the group could survive as a political movement after handing over power if it rejected armed conflict and gave up its weapons and military structures.
The diplomat warned that the current stalemate could lead to a permanent division of Gaza along the so-called Yellow Line marking the area controlled by Israel. Israeli security officials have signaled to the U.S. and the Board of Peace that the time is approaching for the resumption of fighting in Gaza.
The phased ceasefire deal has been stalled over Hamas not yet disarming. The first phase saw the release of the last captives seized in southern Israel in October 2023 in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel. The transition to the second phase envisions Hamas handing over its weapons, Israeli forces withdrawing, and the rebuilding of destroyed areas of the enclave.
