Green Rafah: Israel’s controversial plan to reshape Gaza’s map

According to Israeli media, the Zionist regime has begun extensive field operations to establish a new city in eastern Rafah, an action carried out as part of implementing the next stage of Donald Trump’s plan. This operation includes using heavy machinery, clearing rubble, and pumping cement into tunnels. Reports indicate that these activities will expand next week.

The Arab48 website, republishing this news, wrote that the Israeli army has begun fieldwork in eastern Rafah to build what Tel Aviv calls a “Green City.” Initial preparations include the arrival of heavy engineering equipment for debris removal and land preparation.

This move comes amid U.S. pressure to prepare for the next phase of President Donald Trump’s plan to halt the war in Gaza — a plan that includes creating a humanitarian zone and a new city in eastern Rafah, in territories under the control of the occupiers.

According to Israel’s Kan 11 channel, the regime is preparing to bring heavy equipment into Rafah next week to begin large-scale rubble-clearing operations aimed at preparing the ground for a new humanitarian zone “free of Hamas elements.”

The report says the occupying army has notified “armed groups coordinated with Israel” of the upcoming steps. Under the U.S. plan, the next phase includes the deployment of a foreign military force in areas where Israel maintains partial control.

Countries that have preliminarily agreed to send forces as part of an international mission refuse to operate in areas under Hamas control. Israel is trying to create a new division: “New Gaza” versus “Old Gaza.”

The i24NEWS network also reported that the occupying army has begun development work to build a new city for Palestinians in eastern Rafah — a city named “Green Rafah,” which is expected to see a broad expansion of activities next week, including debris removal and clearing remnants of explosives.

The network added: “A large engineering force will begin work at the start of next week.”

Meanwhile, the occupying army announced that yesterday morning, during the preparations, a clash occurred between occupation forces and Palestinian resistance fighters who had emerged from a tunnel in Rafah. According to Israel’s claim, most activities are being carried out near “a tunnel where dozens of Hamas fighters have taken shelter.”

Reports have also pointed to the “anger of some Israeli cabinet ministers” over this plan; they believe Israel should not build in the “yellow line” because it endangers the security of settlements.

According to Kan 11, preparations include “injecting large quantities of cement into tunnels and encircling wide areas,” but do not include the al-Jeneina neighborhood in Rafah, where Israel claims dozens of resistance fighters are sheltering underground.

Israeli media reports emphasize that these actions will continue even if Trump’s plan does not advance to its next stage, because they “serve Israel’s interests in destroying military infrastructure.”