Israel’s February 2024 proposal called for Gaza’s complete demilitarization and continuing Israeli security responsibility, including a security zone along the border with Israel. It also described a southern closure and measures against above-ground and tunnel smuggling from Egypt. The proposal sets security aims; the inspection system and Egypt’s role require operational agreements.
Border monitoring requires coordination
The Philadelphi Corridor is the area along Gaza’s Egyptian border. Monitoring movement there involves crossing procedures, the Egyptian side of the border and security inside Gaza. The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty established mutually agreed limited-force zones and joint mechanisms in Egyptian and Israeli territory. It did not establish an Israeli deployment inside Gaza. The treaty text specifies the zones and coordination arrangements.
Netanyahu’s cabinet proposal called for cooperation with Egypt “as much as possible,” alongside US assistance. It did not provide a detailed staffing plan, inspection protocol or finalized bilateral mechanism. The published account of the plan describes its southern closure and border language. The practical test is whether agreed procedures can stop weapons and military equipment while allowing lawful civilian goods through.
Track reconstruction materials
Cement, steel, pipes, fuel and electrical equipment are necessary for civilian recovery; some can also be used in military construction. A control system can publish item categories, require import permits and named end users, track consignments and inventory, and allow inspections and audits. Those safeguards should focus on verifiable routes and goods rather than treating every building material as military equipment.
The Wassenaar Arrangement maintains separate control lists for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies. It is an export-control framework, not a rule that categorizes all construction supplies as arms. See its published control lists. The World Bank’s damage assessment identifies the infrastructure needs rebuilding must address.
Security arrangements and civilian rebuilding are linked: a system must prevent Hamas from rebuilding its arsenal while enabling utilities and homes to be restored. See also water and sanitation restoration.