ISRAEL – The Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen on Saturday said that Israel has no plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, adding that it should remain in ruins for decades.

Speaking to Israel’s Channel 14 television, Cohen said Israel has no intention of assisting in rebuilding Gaza’s destroyed infrastructure.

“Gaza should remain in ruins for decades without reconstruction,” he was quoted.

Referring to the army’s two main goals in Gaza, Cohen said the first is to secure the return of hostages and the second is to force Hamas into submission.

Israel Gaza Ceasefire

US President Donald Trump previously announced that Israel had accepted the necessary conditions for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, with the proposal presented to Hamas by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Hamas responded positively and stated its readiness to proceed with negotiations to implement the ceasefire and exchange hostages.

Although Israel claimed Hamas’ amendments to the Qatari proposal were unacceptable, its delegation still traveled to Doha for talks.

Negotiations in Doha have focused on a temporary 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages, and discussions on a permanent truce.

While many issues were reportedly resolved, the main sticking point remained Israel’s insistence on maintaining occupation around Gaza’s perimeter.

Even if a ceasefire is reached, Israel has announced plans to continue its presence in Rafah and set up a “collection camp” as part of its aim to deport Palestinians to other countries.

Israelis, who had seized Palestinian lands, beat a Palestinian and fatally shot another on July 11 in the town of Sinjil, north of Ramallah.

At least 998 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in attacks by the Israeli army and illegal settlers in the occupied West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Israel has since killed nearly 58,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children.