Smotrich Halts Work on "Green City" in Rafah: "Reconstruction of Gaza - Not at Israel's Expense"

SadaNews Translation: Following the political leadership's decision, revealed on the Hebrew-speaking i24NEWS website, to independently remove the rubble to create the "Humanitarian City," work was supposed to begin this morning, with orders already sent to the Israeli army.

However, Hebrew sources stated that the work will be postponed until further notice, according to SadaNews translation. A security source claims that the militants still trapped in the Rafah pocket are stalling the work.

On the other hand, another security source indicates that the reason for the delay is a shortfall in the budget of the Israeli Finance Ministry, which is postponing the start of the work.

Sources close to the far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed the reports, responding: "Israeli citizens will not fund the reconstruction of Gaza from their own pockets. There are limits to every deception."

It is noteworthy that the removal of rubble and debris is a preliminary phase before the second phase that Israel has agreed to carry out on its own. This delay could effectively postpone the second phase, which includes the reconstruction of the sector and the disarmament of Hamas.