Smotrich: Gaza a potential real estate ‘bonanza,’ Israel talking with US about dividing it up

[Right_in_Virginia]

Smotrich: Gaza a potential real estate ‘bonanza,’ Israel talking with US about dividing it up
Finance minister says ‘demolition’ is done, ‘now we just need to build’; also slams Netanyahu’s comparison of Israel to Sparta
Times of Israel, Sep 17, 2025

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday said that the Gaza Strip was a potential real estate “bonanza” and that he was in talks with the United States on how to divide up the coastal enclave after the war, once again making clear his desire to transform the enclave into Israeli territory.

Speaking at a real estate conference in Tel Aviv, the minister said the opportunity “pays for itself,” and he has “already started negotiations with the Americans.”

We have paid a lot of money for this war. We have to see how we are dividing up the land in percentages,” Smotrich said, adding that “the demolition, the first stage in the city’s renewal, we have already done. Now we need to build.”

He added, “There is a business plan, put together by the most professional people here, that is on President Trump’s desk.”

In an interview with his Religious Zionism party’s Ofek weekend newsletter last month, Smotrich said he was working to reestablish the former Israeli settlements of Ganim and Kadim in the northern West Bank, both of which were evacuated and dismantled during Israel’s disengagement from Gaza in 2005, when it withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers.

In July, he spoke at a Knesset conference called “The Gaza Riviera – from vision to reality,” at which participants presented plans for reestablishing Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. There, he said that Gaza would become an “inseparable part of the State of Israel.”

In May, he said the population of the territory would be confined to just a narrow swath of land, with the remainder of the enclave “totally destroyed.”

Smotrich claimed in July that his vision has US President Donald Trump’s backing. Trump in February said the US would take over Gaza, relocate its residents, and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”


https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-gaza-is-real-estate-bonanza-israel-talking-with-us-about-dividing-it-up/

[DefiantMassRINO]

bad location, bad location, bad location

[Right_in_Virginia]

Israeli minister touts Gaza 'real estate bonanza', defying international backlash
BBC, Sep 18, 2025

Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has said the Gaza Strip could be a "real estate bonanza" and that he is in talks with the US about dividing up the territory after the war - an idea previously condemned internationally.

Speaking at an event in Tel Aviv, he said "a business plan is on President Trump's table".

"We've done the demolition phase... Now we need to build," he said.

In February, Donald Trump floated plans for the US to take "a long-term ownership position" over Gaza, saying it could be the "Riviera of the Middle East".

The idea would involve the forced displacement of Palestinians in the territory and be in violation of international law.

But the Washington Post reported earlier this month a version of the idea was again under discussion, and would involve Gaza being turned into a trusteeship administered by the US for at least a decade while it is developed into a tourism resort and high-tech manufacturing hub.

Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has involved mass air strikes and building demolitions, has caused widespread destruction to the territory.

The United Nations (UN) estimates 92% of housing units have been damaged or destroyed, 91% of schools will require full reconstruction or major rehabilitation to be fully functional again, and 86% of cropland is damaged.

The UN estimated in February that the reconstruction of the territory would cost $53.2 billion (£46.1bn) over the next 10 years.

"We paid a lot of money for this war," said Smotrich. "So we need to divide how we make a percentage on the land marketing later".


More:  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y59z6rznvo

[Right_in_Virginia]

Keep an eye on Kushner ..,...

[DCPatriot]

Keep an eye on Kushner ..,...

Please tell me they're not going to build casinos/hotels and marinas over GAZA!!  /S

[Right_in_Virginia]

Smotrich: Gaza a potential real estate ‘bonanza,’ Israel talking with US about dividing it up
Finance minister says ‘demolition’ is done, ‘now we just need to build’; also slams Netanyahu’s comparison of Israel to Sparta
Times of Israel, Sep 17, 2025

We have paid a lot of money for this war. We have to see how we are dividing up the land in percentages,” Smotrich said, adding that “the demolition, the first stage in the city’s renewal, we have already done. Now we need to build.”

The Guardian/UK
Sep 18, 2025

More than a quarter of a million people have been displaced from Gaza City in the last month, according to figures from the UN, with tens of thousands more forced to flee makeshift homes and shelters daily in the face of a new Israeli offensive.

Strikes by Israeli artillery, tanks and warplanes hit Gaza City again on Thursday as a UN official said “new waves of mass displacement” were under way, after about 60,000 fled the new assault in 72 hours earlier this week.

Israeli military officials say the total number following Israeli orders to evacuate Gaza City is much higher.

An unbroken column of traffic heavily laden with household utensils, blankets, mattresses, gas cylinders and often entire families packed Gaza’s narrow coastal road on Thursday as a steady stream of Palestinians headed south towards areas designated by Israel.

Prices for transport have soared, forcing some to walk, laden with belongings and young children. “We are heading to go sleep on the streets towards the beach, like this, barefoot … We don’t know where to go,” said Yasser Saleh, speaking as he stood on a rickety trailer being pulled by a car.

Israeli military officials said Gaza City was a “Hamas stronghold” and that as many as 450,000 civilians had left. The estimate was based on multiple sources, including drone surveillance, an official told the Guardian.

Israeli forces now control Gaza City’s eastern suburbs and in recent days have moved into the Sheikh Radwan and Tel al-Hawa areas, from where they would be positioned to advance on the central and western districts where most of the remaining population is sheltering.

Swathes of Gaza City, once a busy commercial and cultural hub, have been reduced to uninhabitable ruins. Until weeks ago, more than a million people were living there, many already displaced numerous times.

The same day, the Israeli military announced the opening of a second route out of Gaza City – through the middle of the Gaza Strip – for two days to try to encourage the exodus. Its Arabic-language spokesperson, Col Avichay Adraee, said the corridor would remain open for just 48 hours.

Shadi Jawad, 47, who fled Gaza City via the route, said: “The situation is indescribable – crowds everywhere, the sound of explosions, women and men crying and screaming as they walked while carrying their belongings.”

The Israeli military has been dropping leaflets urging people to flee towards a designated “humanitarian zone” in the south of the territory, but aid agencies say conditions there are dire, with insufficient food, medicine and space, and inadequate shelter.

Rosalia Bollen of Unicef said: “The area in southern Gaza that people are ordered to go to is a largely overcrowded stretch of dunes. It is inappropriate, unprepared and unsafe to host displaced families with immense humanitarian needs there. And for the hundreds of thousands of people still left in Gaza City – half of them children – we are deeply worried, as airstrikes have been pounding Gaza City.”

Much of northern Gaza is gripped by famine, according to internationally respected experts.


More:  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/18/un-figures-people-displaced-from-gaza-city

[berdie]

I wonder what Hamas would do if they over took Israel.

[Wingnut]

When Palestinians are all dead. The world will a better place.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I wonder what Hamas would do if they over took Israel.

Hey! @berdie  What's the point you're making here ---- I think I'm missing it.  Thanks.

[Sighlass]

If you built in Gaza you would have to hire armed guards in the basements to keep the rats from invading out of tunnels.

[verga]

Coming soon the Riviera of the Middle East.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Coming soon the Riviera of the Middle East.

Guess who'll invest 10 years in treasure, time and resources.   

[berdie]

Hey! @berdie  What's the point you're making here ---- I think I'm missing it.  Thanks.

I doubt you are missing my point @Right_in_Virginia  .  I'm not clever enough to post cryptic messages. I generally just say what I think. I have found that useful in life and especially on the internet where people can't see a smile or the look in the eye.

Now, if you're asking me what I think I'll be happy to oblige. If Hamas were to take over Israel as soon as the population was exterminated or exiled (precedent and their stated mission) the structures destroyed (precedent) the place would turn into an extended version of Gaza. No commerce or economy. Before you say Israel is holding Gaza back I will say up front I disagree. There are vibrant regions in the ME. The Palisitians could do the same. There has been ample time and outside funding.

What do you think would happen if Hamas were to overcome Israel?

I am truly interested in your opinion. But may not post a reply until Monday. (I may check the news on the weekend but don't post. I like a little weekly news break. )

[Wingnut]

Hey! @berdie  What's the point you're making here ---- I think I'm missing it.  Thanks.

You miss a lot when you wear the Hamas flag on your sleeve.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I doubt you are missing my point @Right_in_Virginia  .  I'm not clever enough to post cryptic messages. I generally just say what I think. I have found that useful in life and especially on the internet where people can't see a smile or the look in the eye.

Now, if you're asking me what I think I'll be happy to oblige. If Hamas were to take over Israel as soon as the population was exterminated or exiled (precedent and their stated mission) the structures destroyed (precedent) the place would turn into an extended version of Gaza. No commerce or economy. Before you say Israel is holding Gaza back I will say up front I disagree. There are vibrant regions in the ME. The Palisitians could do the same. There has been ample time and outside funding.

I'm still missing the point here    (the Hamas overtaking Israel part) Sorry, it's me not you.

What do you think would happen if Hamas were to overcome Israel?

I can't even imagine this @berdie -- never could.  So, I don't have an answer to your question.

In all candor, I've also never considered Israel a lone nation against the whole of the Middle East ---  living a life under constant existential threat. Israel has a top notch, modern defense apparatus, a nuclear arsenal and is a bona fide military and political protectorate of the world's only military and economic superpower. 

The regional threat to Israel is Iran --- and in one night we took care of their nuclear threat for at least a decade. 

I wish Israel would take this opportunity to make peace, remove the Palestinian albatross from around its neck and free itself to develop more beneficial relationships with its neighbors.

I am truly interested in your opinion. But may not post a reply until Monday. (I may check the news on the weekend but don't post. I like a little weekly news break. )

I enjoy our conversations, and look forward to your reply on Monday. 

In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying this last weekend of Summer 2025.

[Wingnut]

I'm still missing the point here    (the Hamas overtaking Israel part) Sorry, it's me not you.

I can't even imagine this @berdie -- never could.  So, I don't have an answer to your question.

In all candor, I've also never considered Israel a lone nation against the whole of the Middle East ---  living a life under constant existential threat. Israel has a top notch, modern defense apparatus, a nuclear arsenal and is a bona fide military and political protectorate of the world's only military and economic superpower. 

The regional threat to Israel is Iran --- and in one night we took care of their nuclear threat for at least a decade. 

I wish Israel would take this opportunity to make peace, remove the Palestinian albatross from around its neck and free itself to develop more beneficial relationships with its neighbors.

I enjoy our conversations, and look forward to your reply on Monday. 

In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying this last weekend of Summer 2025.

You where damaged years ago, Show us where the jew hurt you.

[BobfromWB]

I wonder what Hamas would do if they over took Israel.

1st Kill all the Jews & Christians;
2nd Begin large scale arms production;
3rd Take over Jordan;
4th Nuke Rome;
5th Nuke NYC;
6th you get the idea.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

1st Kill all the Jews & Christians;
2nd Begin large scale arms production;
3rd Take over Jordan;
4th Nuke Rome;
5th Nuke NYC;
6th you get the idea.

7th Totally destroy any Jewish structure or historical artifact that confirms Jewish heritage or existence.

[Fishrrman]

If the "palis" are to have any future... it's NOT going to be in Gaza...

[jafo2010]

Trump squandering US taxpayer money to develop Gaza should be prohibited by Congress.

After that pier Biden spent billions to provide Gaza with a place for ships to unload/load, I do not want to see one dime spent on Gaza.  Let the Arab League provide the humanitarian supplies.  Why should the US taxpayer aid the enemy of one of our strongest allies?  Totally insane.

[berdie]

I'm still missing the point here    (the Hamas overtaking Israel part) Sorry, it's me not you.

It was purely conjecture, based on the comments in the original article.

I can't even imagine this @berdie -- never could.  So, I don't have an answer to your question.

I never say never.

In all candor, I've also never considered Israel a lone nation against the whole of the Middle East ---  living a life under constant existential threat. Israel has a top notch, modern defense apparatus, a nuclear arsenal and is a bona fide military and political protectorate of the world's only military and economic superpower. 

And maybe the reason there isn't constant threat is because of that? So Hamas and the Palis continue to tread on Superman's cape. And then when there is retaliation...they start "We are being killed! We are victims!" And the willing media falls in line. Israel is a lone nation against the ME. And in reality the rest of the world. Anti-semitism..ain't it great?



The regional threat to Israel is Iran --- and in one night we took care of their nuclear threat for at least a decade.

We may/may not have removed all of Iran's weapons. But no matter...Their subsidiaries, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis can carry on. 

I wish Israel would take this opportunity to make peace, remove the Palestinian albatross from around its neck and free itself to develop more beneficial relationships with its neighbors.


And I wish Hamas/Palistinians would have taken the time prior to 10/7 to make peace. They could still surrender and return the hostages. I could be wrong, but I think Israel is worn out and is removing the albatross from around their necks. There were negotians prior to this incident, the destruction of those negotians  probably instigated by Iran. There has never been true peace in the region...and never will be. /color]

I enjoy our conversations, and look forward to your reply on Monday. 

In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying this last weekend of Summer 2025.

@Right_in_Virginia , hope you had a good weekend as well.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Maybe a luxury golf resort would bring peace to Gaza.

Maybe they are always so angry because they can't play golf due to a lack of golf courses.

Is the 19th hole a violation of Sharia Law?

[Right_in_Virginia]

From @berdie :  So Hamas and the Palis continue to tread on Superman's cape. And then when there is retaliation...they start "We are being killed! We are victims!"

It sounds like Israel is retaliating against the Palestinians for pushing back against their occupation and control.  Is this what you meant @berdie ?

From Berdie:  Israel is a lone nation against the ME.

Israel doesn't have to be "a lone nation against the ME".  Relationships can change .... and they were changing. I hope Israel can decide it truly wants to be a valued member of the neighborhood.  Recent history shows the opportunity for Israel is real, but the Palestinian conflict is still an obstacle -- please see below:

The Abraham Accords are a series of U.S.-brokered agreements that established or normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority states, beginning in 2020. The accords initiated a new era of cooperation in the Middle East focused on shared economic and security interests.

Signatory nations
The initial peace declarations were signed at the White House on September 15, 2020, by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Other countries have since joined the normalization process.

Future outlook

Palestinian issue: Any significant expansion, particularly with Saudi Arabia, would depend on tangible progress toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Apr 15, 2024

Saudi Arabia has publicly acknowledged its involvement in aiding the newly formed regional military coalition in defending Israel against an Iranian attack.

The statement referenced a report by KAN News detailing Saudi Arabia's participation in the joint military defensive operation, which successfully thwarted an Iranian assault on Israel.

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/artc-saudi-arabia-publicly-acknowledges-role-in-defending-israel-against-iranian-attack

Are Jordan and Saudi Arabia defending Israel?
Kersten Knipp
06/21/2025

Jordan shot down Iranian missiles and drones crossing overhead and Saudi Arabia likely allowed Israel to use its airspace to do so. That's despite both expressing opposition to Israel's attacks on Iran in public.

https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabia-jordan-israel-iran-war-united-states/a-72977996

Qatar

The end of unofficial diplomacy (September 2025)

Israeli strike: In September 2025, Israel launched an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, reportedly targeting senior Hamas leaders who were meeting to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. While the targeted Hamas negotiators reportedly survived, a Qatari security officer was killed.

Immediate condemnation: Qatar strongly condemned the strike, calling it an act of "state terrorism" and a violation of its sovereignty. This led to widespread international condemnation of Israel.

Escalating tensions: After the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu threatened further strikes if Qatar continued to harbor Hamas leaders. In response, Qatar's prime minister promised a "collective" regional response in coordination with other Gulf states.

Strained Gulf relations: The attack has shattered trust in regional diplomacy and strained Israel's ties with other Gulf states. The UAE, a country that normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, summoned the Israeli deputy ambassador to protest the attack.

[Right_in_Virginia]

From @berdie --- I could be wrong, but I think Israel is worn out and is removing the albatross from around their necks. There were negotians prior to this incident, the destruction of those negotians probably instigated by Iran.

I could be wrong @berdie , but I think Israel has the energy for war, but none for negotiations -------

There was a round of negotiations in Qatar on Sep 9th.  Diplomatic crcles were cautiously optimistic because the discussion was to be about Hamas approving a US proposal on release of hostages and a ceasefire  ----  and top Hamas leadership had accepted the US snd Qatari invitation for a place at the table --- an arrangement pre-approved by Israel.  Hamas leadership had flown into Qatar to attend the negotiations.

But, Israel chose to launch an attack, sending 14 bombers to surprise everyone at the table, including the United States, in an attempt to kill the Hamas attendees and punish Qatar for "harboring terrorists".  Israel missed its targets, but succeeded in blowing the negotiations to smithereens.

Negotiations have not resumed, but Israel's major bombing campaign to change Gaza City from rubble to dust has continued unabated. 

[Right_in_Virginia]

@Right_in_Virginia , hope you had a good weekend as well.

It was much too short   

@berdie