Israel proposes island off Gaza

The Israeli government is considering a proposal to build an artificial island off the Gaza Strip to give the besieged enclave a seaport and possibly an airport.

Israel’s Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz suggested the plan which would include the construction of an eight square kilometre island which would be linked to the Gaza Strip by a five kilometre bridge.

The plan is expected to cost $5 billion, and Katz is seeking financial partners to help with the project.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is exploring the option but has not yet made a determination,” said an official involved in the talks, while the US administration has been informed of the proposal.

An aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the plan was “dubious” and would lead to the “final severing of Gaza” from the West Bank.