With Emirati funding.. a Palestinian company begins implementing a huge residential complex for displaced people in Rafah

Palestinian and Israeli sources revealed that a major contracting company based in the Gaza Strip has contracted to implement a large-scale residential complex project in the city of Rafah, funded by the United Arab Emirates. This move comes amid the continued military control of the Israeli occupation over large parts of the Strip, as the project primarily aims to provide shelter for tens of thousands of displaced people who lost their homes during the war.

Data indicates that 'Masoud and Ali Contracting Company' (MACC), which relies on Palestinian technical and engineering cadres from within the Strip, is the entity implementing the project in cooperation with two companies from the Arab Republic of Egypt. This step is a remarkable development in the reconstruction file, as construction operations begin without waiting for a complete Israeli withdrawal or reaching a final and comprehensive political agreement.

The planned residential complex is located in the southern region of the Gaza Strip near the city of Rafah, an area that has witnessed massive destruction of infrastructure and residential buildings. According to informed businessmen, the project will be built on an area of up to 74 acres, and will rely on pre-construction techniques using multi-story 'trailer' residential units to ensure speed of implementation and accommodation.

While the implementing company preferred not to comment on these reports, an Emirati official affirmed his country's continued commitment to supporting relief and recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip. The official explained that the UAE is working with international partners to ensure that humanitarian aid and basic services reach those in need effectively and quickly, in line with the urgent needs of the displaced population.

These reports intersect with previous documents that revealed a project called 'New Rafah', which is supposed to be supervised by the American Peace Council. The broader vision for this project includes the construction of about 100,000 permanent housing units, in addition to dozens of medical and educational facilities, to be a model for alternative residential communities subject to special administration and security procedures.

The proposed plan includes measures aimed at reducing the influence of Palestinian factions within these communities, including the adoption of an electronic wallet system with the Israeli currency (shekel) to control financial flows. The proposals also include providing independent educational curricula in the schools affiliated with the complex, away from the official directives that were prevalent before the war, to ensure a different educational environment.

On the security front, reports indicate that the residents of this city will undergo accurate examination processes and collection of biometric data as a condition for obtaining basic services such as water, electricity, and healthcare. These measures, according to American officials, aim to prevent the entry of weapons or armed elements into the complex, while maintaining the freedom of movement of civilians under surveillance.

Observers believe that this project represents a cornerstone in the 'day after' arrangements for the war, as reconstruction is linked to a path of disarmament and changing the administrative and security structure in the Strip. This step is unprecedented in terms of overcoming current political obstacles, and an attempt to impose a new reality on the ground that provides relief in exchange for strict security and administrative conditions.

The project represents a trend to begin reconstruction without waiting for the supposed Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which is linked to the disarmament of the factions.