Gaza Reconstruction Bids Target Israeli-Controlled Areas

Some of Israel’s largest engineering and infrastructure companies are competing for billions of dollars in contracts to rebuild Gaza, as the US-led Board of Peace prepares about 60 tenders for work in parts of the Strip under Israeli control. No contracts have been awarded.

Reconstruction Under Israeli Control

The planned tenders cover reconstruction in parts of Gaza under Israeli control. The Board of Peace is preparing about 60 opportunities for work, while Israeli companies gather information ahead of any decision on contracts. The value of the work they’re pursuing is described as billions of dollars.

“All the companies are gathering data and waiting for the political green light,” one executive said. The companies are collecting data, but haven’t received permission to proceed. The article doesn’t say when the tenders will be issued or name the companies competing for them.

No reconstruction contracts have yet been awarded. Work remains at the preparation stage, with the Board of Peace expected to issue tenders for areas under Israeli control. The article gives no further details about the projects, their locations or the terms of the tenders.

Smuggling Review and Conflict of Interest

Separately, Shin Bet chief David Zini has delayed transferring an agency assessment on the smuggling of goods into Gaza for several weeks, Haaretz reported. Prosecutors asked the agency to clarify its policy on Gaza smuggling and assess the security implications for cases against alleged smugglers.

The requested assessment covers issues relevant to the case against Zini’s brother, who is charged. A source said Zini “must not go near these matters” while his brother faces the charge. Haaretz also reported that Zini couldn’t take part in the case.

The assessment concerns the agency’s policy on smuggling goods into Gaza and the security implications for cases involving alleged smugglers. The article doesn’t report that the agency has transferred the assessment or give details of the charges against Zini’s brother.

Airstrike in Khan Younis

Two Palestinian weapons smugglers were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip on October 14, the military said. The IDF identified them as Basel Nabil Abd al-Rahman Kashta and Ahmad Raja al-Shaer.

The military said the two “were involved in smuggling weapons and additional military equipment into the Gaza Strip.” It said Israeli forces carried out the strike in Khan Younis “to remove a threat” to Israeli civilians and IDF troops stationed in Gaza.

The military’s statements describe its stated basis for the strike and its identification of the two men. The article gives no further details about the strike, the men’s alleged smuggling activity or the circumstances in which they were killed.