Israel has reportedly agreed to a United States demand to take responsibility for clearing the massive amounts of rubble left in the Gaza Strip after more than two years of war. The operation, expected to cost over $1 billion, would see Israel both financing and overseeing the removal of debris, a prerequisite for reconstruction efforts that have yet to begin. Initial plans focus on a pilot project in Rafah, but the scale of destruction—over 123,000 buildings destroyed and 68 million tons of debris—means the task could expand dramatically.

With Arab states and international donors unwilling to fund the cleanup, Israel may be left to clear the entire enclave. The United States has made reconstruction in Rafah a model for broader rebuilding, but Israeli officials fear that the focus on rebuilding could overshadow efforts to disarm Hamas and secure the return of hostages. Tensions remain over the next steps, as Washington pushes for progress on reconstruction while Israel seeks guarantees on security and demilitarization.