Far-right Israeli lawmakers Itamar Ben Gvir, center, and Bezalel Smotrich, right, attend the swearing-in ceremony for the new Israeli parliament, at the Knesset, or parliament, in Jerusalem, November 15, 2022. Maya Alleruzzo/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo
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Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described Gaza as a potential “real estate bonanza” and said he is discussing dividing the territory with the U.S., drawing international condemnation, the BBC reported.
Speaking in Tel Aviv, Smotrich said, “We’ve done the demolition phase… Now we need to build,” referring to the extensive destruction caused by Israel’s military campaign.
The plan echoes a 2025 proposal by former President Donald Trump envisioning U.S. trusteeship over Gaza to develop tourism and high-tech industries, a concept widely rejected by Palestinians, Arab nations, and the international community.
Smotrich suggested Israel could profit from land development, saying, “We paid a lot of money for this war… we need to divide how we make a percentage on the land marketing later.”
The UN reports 92% of Gaza’s housing and 91% of schools are damaged, with reconstruction costs estimated at $53 billion over 10 years. Smotrich, sanctioned by the U.K. for incitement, also oversees West Bank planning and supports aggressive settlement expansion.
