Netanyahu Pushes to Accelerate Gaza “Humanitarian City” Amid Security Dispute.
During a high-stakes cabinet meeting on Sunday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a tense discussion with security officials over the timeline for constructing a massive “humanitarian city” in Gaza—a project projected to cost tens of billions and take over a year to complete.
According to IDF Radio (Galei Tzahal), the updated construction timeline far exceeds earlier expectations, which had optimistically estimated the project would be completed within six months. The new projection sparked friction between the military and political leadership, with Netanyahu and several ministers demanding a faster pace and calling for a substantial reduction in the timeline.
Sources present at the meeting described a heated debate as Netanyahu emphasized the urgent need to establish the city both as a strategic humanitarian solution and as a diplomatic lever in ongoing negotiations. The Prime Minister stated his intent to pursue a ceasefire agreement and a broader deal with relevant stakeholders, but clarified that military operations could resume if conditions on the ground deteriorate post-ceasefire.
The proposed “humanitarian city” is expected to serve as a safe zone for civilians, providing infrastructure, aid, and services under international oversight—potentially laying the groundwork for future stabilization efforts in Gaza.
As pressure mounts to show progress on both humanitarian and security fronts, Netanyahu’s call for acceleration underscores the growing urgency to balance international expectations with military realities.
