New Gaza

365 square kilometers, 40 km long, and a maximum of 12 km wide. With over 2 million residents, the majority are classified as refugees. This is Gaza as we know it, based on dry statistics.

Gaza wasn't Gaza until 1949, the year it was established under the Rhodes Agreements following the War of Liberation. Before that, it consisted of small Arab villages and not much else.

The Rhodes Agreements (ceasefire agreements) left the Gaza area under Egyptian control, not defining it as part of their state but rather as a region under Egyptian military rule.

Israel only gained control of Gaza after the Six-Day War, and for about 20 years, its inhabitants lived there, with many working in Israel in various jobs. Until 1971, when an Israeli family was murdered, there was no permanent IDF presence in Gaza, and its residents managed their lives independently.

The first intifada in 1987 marked the beginning of a deteriorating situation, leading to Israel handing full control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority in 2005. The hope was that they would use the opportunity for personal benefit, economic progress, and self-governance. However, in 2007, Hamas took over forcefully, causing internal conflicts.

Since then, Hamas has grown, developed military capabilities, engaged in cycles of conflict with Israel, always set back a few years after each round.

Throughout the years, Hamas has successfully portrayed itself globally as a neighborhood underdog with the sole goal of Palestinian liberation. The world provided humanitarian aid, building materials, funds for basic living, and more. However, the reality was known to all—tunnels, bases, embezzlement, deceit, and their own privileged lifestyles.

Many theories have been proposed over the years on what to do with Gaza, how to solve the problem, whether to coexist in endless cycles, and more. Yet, no real solution has emerged because when facing an opponent with opposing interests and no one to talk to, a genuine resolution seems unlikely.

In my view, the situation is "More of the same," and therefore, nothing will truly be a good solution. At best, we may have a temporary respite for a decade or two.

In world history, drastic changes occurred after significant military victories, defeat of the other side, or paradigm shifts through agreements. The Nazis in 1945, the Japanese after Nagasaki, and more.

As I mentioned earlier, most Arabs in Gaza live as refugees, despite legal changes that no longer consider children and grandchildren of refugees as such. They live in overcrowded, unbearable conditions, facing poverty, limited electricity supply, and more.

Considering the current situation, it seems like "New Gaza" is a tactical distance from Israel, within the vast Sinai Desert sparsely populated by Egyptians. About 100 km west of the old Gaza lies Bardawil Lake, sparsely populated and capable of absorbing the residents who define themselves as refugees in old Gaza.

International funds, including from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Europe, could be used to build the new state within a year or two, with the UN leading the infrastructure development. A water desalination plant, with Israel's assistance, would be established.

The old Gaza would be transformed into an industrial zone in collaboration with Western countries. Police presence in the new Gaza would be limited, with Egypt overseeing security. This approach could lead to significant improvements.

New Gaza is not the ultimate solution, and it undoubtedly presents challenges, especially in dealing with Egyptian authority. If we stop providing electricity, water, and concrete to the old Gaza, they might try to move towards Egypt. However, Egypt may have no real choice. Nevertheless, New Gaza is much, much better than the old one, for us Israelis, the residents, the Western world, and probably the entire world.

In my opinion, New Gaza is the best solution imaginable, even tens of times better than any other solution for the old Gaza.