Five years after Israel first unveiled plans to build an artificial island off Gaza's coast, Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz is now pushing for the project's approval by the security cabinet.
The plan, first revealed by Israel's Channel 2 in 2011, includes an 8 square-kilometer island linked to Gaza by a four and a half kilometer bridge. On the island there would be a security checkpoint, seaport, airport and hotels. The project would cost an estimated $5 billion.
The island would be built in international waters and provide economic independence for the Palestinians while protecting Israel's security interests. At present, Israel allows 800 trucks to enter the Gaza strip each day but that is not enough to provide all the needs of its 1.8 million inhabitants who have been living under a commercial blockade since Hamas seized power in 2007. Israel's Defense Ministry supports the plan and the EU has shown major interest in it.
Katz wants the project approved by the cabinet as soon as possible and a professional team established to be responsible for the financing, engineering and security aspects of the project.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 23, 2016
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