Government to mull solutions to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis

The cabinet will discuss possible solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in an effort to relieve suffering. 

By: World Israel News Staff

The cabinet is set to decide on Sunday about a program to improve the situation in the Gaza Strip, easing and preventing the humanitarian crisis there, sources told Ma’ariv.

Israel Katz’s “artificial island” proposition, which calls to create an island off the coast of Gaza, is one of the ideas that will be mulled.

A large reconstruction program floated by UN Mideast envoy Nikolai Mladenov is yet another proposal that will be discussed.

Sources said to be high-ranking politicians told Ma’ariv that Mladenov has adopted a program the brainchild of Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen Yoav Mordechai.

Industry and construction of roads, electricity plants, water lines and other infrastructure designed to provide as a support for Gaza would be installed in the Sinai Peninsula or, perhaps, in the Strip itself. An independent fundraising campaign among western nations would be launched to fund the ambitious project.

Mladenov has a good rapport with Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and with other members of the Israeli government, Ma’ariv reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu articulated the view in recent days that easing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is a worthy goal.