Gaza should remain in ruins for decades, says Israeli energy minister
Iran Press TV
Sunday, 13 July 2025 10:31 AM
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen says the Gaza Strip should remain in a state of devastation without reconstruction for decades, as the indirect Israel-Hamas talks in Qatar for a comprehensive ceasefire to end the war have run into a snag.
Speaking in an interview with the Israeli right-wing and conservative Channel 14 television network, Cohen said that Israel does not plan to aid in the reconstruction of Gaza's devastated infrastructure.
"Gaza should remain in ruins for decades without reconstruction," he was quoted.
Cohen stated that the army has two primary objectives in Gaza: the first is to ensure the return of Israeli captives, and the second is to compel Hamas to surrender.
The remarks come as Israeli minister of military affairs Israel Katz announced plans to forcibly transfer the entire Palestinian population of Gaza.
Katz alleged he wanted to turn the ruins of Rafah into what he described as a "humanitarian city." The city appears to be more like concentration zones.
Observers say the plan for forced displacement amounts to a blueprint for war crimes.
US President Donald Trump had earlier declared that Israel agreed to the essential terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, with the proposal being conveyed to Hamas by mediators from Qatar and Egypt.
Hamas expressed a favorable response and indicated its willingness to engage in negotiations aimed at implementing the ceasefire and facilitating the exchange of captives.
Despite Israel's assertion that Hamas's modifications to the Qatari proposal were unacceptable, its delegation proceeded to Doha for discussions.
Discussions in Doha have centered around a provisional 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli captives, as well as negotiations regarding a lasting truce.
Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency, citing Palestinian and Israeli sources, reported that ceasefire talks in Qatar are stalling amid disagreements over the extent of Israeli forces' withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
At least 57,882 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 138,095 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the besieged coastal territory.
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