A New Neighborhood in Gaza? The Controversial Project Unveiled

A well-known construction company has already published plans for rebuilding Gush Katif, featuring neighborhoods named after the settlements evacuated in 2005—such as Kfar Dugit, Dekalim, Ma’ale Atzmona, and even "Nova Ilit," a proposed Haredi community. But what does the company’s owner have to say?

A new Israeli residential project in Gaza? A plan to reestablish Gush Katif? Last night, Channel 13’s Tzinor program exposed the real story behind Harey Zahav’s housing project—one that sent shockwaves through the international community and sparked global controversy. But if you were seriously hoping to buy an apartment in Gaza, you’ll likely have to keep dreaming.

Host Guy Lerer presented Harey Zahav’s proposal, which laid out a plan to rebuild Gush Katif, complete with neighborhoods bearing the names of former settlements, including Kfar Dugit, Dekalim, Ma’ale Atzmona, and Nova Ilit, designed for a Haredi population.

The announcement ignited a firestorm on social media, provoking outrage from Palestinians and pro-Palestinian activists. Some questioned, "If Israel only wants to destroy Hamas, why is it planning to build a Jewish settlement there?" while others accused, "An Israeli construction company wants to build over the bodies of Gaza’s dead."

The mastermind behind the joke, Harey Zahav’s owner Ze’ev Epstein, clarified his position to Roni Aviram: "It’s a joke, it’s a joke. We’re a private company—we don’t make these kinds of decisions. It was meant to boost morale. It’s a dream—if Israel ever returns and issues tenders, of course, we’d build there. But that’s not up to us. Call it a wink at the future."