Israeli firms enter rubble removal talks for Gaza reconstruction plans

Israeli companies are reportedly engaged in negotiations over large-scale demolition and rubble removal projects in Gaza as part of efforts tied to U.S. President Donald Trump's reconstruction plan for the coastal enclave, the news outlet Walla reported on Wednesday, citing an informed security source.

The reported talks suggest that reconstruction planning is moving forward despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Gaza ceasefire and Hamas' continued refusal to disarm.

According to the source, the scale of the proposed work would be unprecedented and could begin even before Hamas has been fully dismantled as a military force.

“The peace government has a desire to advance the reconstruction process, but it is not meeting reasonable timelines or the scope they want," the security official said.

"We are talking about enormous amounts of destruction that they want to turn into recycled construction materials, to transport a large part of it, and at the same time to level the area in order to build new homes on it, and all this is happening even before Hamas has been disarmed and the Strip has been demilitarized,” the source explained.

The security official assessed that the demolition work could proceed while Israeli forces continue operations against remaining Hamas fighters in Gaza.

“At this rate, there will be no choice but to resume fighting in order to disarm it and cut off its underground infrastructure, where it is hiding, managing its preparations for war with Israel, operating a production line of weapons, and hiding weapons depots,” the security official predicted.

The American-backed Gaza 2025 ceasefire stipulates that Hamas must disarm and renounce political ambitions in Gaza. However, Hamas leaders have so far refused to disarm or implement Washington's 14-point Gaza Peace Plan.

According to reports, Hamas has continued efforts to rebuild its military capabilities and reorganize its forces while international attention has shifted toward the conflict with Iran and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

As a result, the Israeli military is preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting. The IDF recently expanded its operational control in Gaza to approximately 70 percent of the territory and has strengthened its positions along the Yellow Line, which separates Israeli-controlled areas from those still under Hamas influence.

“It is possible that the scope of operational control in Palestinian territory will increase in the coming months, while Hamas is allegedly dragging its feet, entrenching itself in the field, recruiting operatives, and preparing for war with Israel," a security source recently told Walla.

Backed by Turkey and Egypt, Hamas is reportedly seeking a new ceasefire arrangement without surrendering its weapons. Israeli officials, however, have repeatedly stressed that any significant Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza depends on the disarmament of Hamas.

In May, the Washington-backed Board of Peace (BoP) blamed Hamas' refusal to disarm for the fragile state of the ceasefire.

“At this stage, the principal obstacle to full implementation [of the ceasefire] remains Hamas’ refusal to accept verified decommissioning, relinquish coercive control, and permit a genuine civilian transition in Gaza,” the BoP said in an official statement.

The BoP also warned that Hamas' conduct is undermining the implementation of the Gaza reconstruction plan and jeopardizing the future of the coastal enclave.

Hamas, which carried out the Oct. 7 massacre that killed 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in the kidnapping of 251 others, continues to call for Israel's destruction.