Egyptian construction firms surveyed sites in Gaza for 'Green Rafah' project, sources say

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Egyptian construction firms linked to businessman Ibrahim al-Organi reportedly surveyed sites in eastern Rafah for a proposed housing project called Green Rafah. Sources say the work took place under Israeli military supervision, with an initial plan to house about 20,000 Palestinians and begin construction after Israeli elections.

Egyptian construction firms surveyed sites in Gaza for 'Green Rafah' project, sources say MEE correspondent on Mon, 10/19/2026 - 08:59 Companies linked to powerful businessman Ibrahim al-Organi carried out exploratory works under Israeli military supervision, sources say A girl carries a boy on her back as she walks past devastation unleashed by Israel on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on 21 January 2025 (Eyad Baba/AFP) Off Egyptian construction firms surveyed sites in the ruins of the southern Gaza Strip for a housing project dubbed "Green Rafah", Egyptian sources have told Middle East Eye. A senior military source based in Egypt's North Sinai province told MEE that Egyptian engineers surveyed several areas in eastern Rafah under the supervision of the Israeli army and air force, who accompanied them throughout the process until they left the besieged Palestinian enclave. Rafah was once home to roughly 250,000 Palestinians and known for its bustling local markets, refugee camps, and surrounding green spaces. But since Israel launched its genocidal war on the enclave, Israeli forces have demolished at least 80 percent of the buildings in the governorate, with nearly all of its former residents now rendered homeless. Speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, the source said that "the proposed neighbourhood would initially house around 20,000 Palestinians and be supervised by a multinational force expected to be deployed in several parts of the Gaza Strip under the Sharm el-Sheikh peace agreement. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Debris removal and construction operations are likely to begin after the Israeli elections so as not to affect the vote or be exploited by opponents of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu," the source added. A second Egyptian source working with the Organi Group told MEE that the company had received instructions from senior management to send a team to Rafah to survey a site earmarked for residential buildings. Ibrahim al-Arjani, also spelt al-Organi or Organi, is a powerful Sinai businessman with longstanding ties to Egypt's security establishment. Two companies linked to him have previously been reported to exercise substantial control over the movement of people and goods through the Rafah crossing. 'The survey of the designated area has already been delivered so that the necessary engineering drawings and studies can be prepared ahead of construction' - Egyptian source The Sons of Sinai, a construction and contracting firm, reportedly controlled exit permits for trucks and other goods, while Hala for Consulting and Tourism Services reportedly had the exclusive rights to control the transportation of travellers to and from the Gaza Strip. The source with the Organi Group corroborated the first source's account of the security arrangements, saying that "the survey team was accompanied by the Israeli army". "The survey of the designated area has already been delivered so that the necessary engineering drawings and studies can be prepared ahead of construction, including rubble removal and land preparation," the source said.  "Work would proceed once we get the go-ahead to clear the debris and level the land so we can begin construction. "Green Rafah is intended to fall under international administration, separating Gaza from Israel," the source added. The two sources both acknowledged that Organi's construction companies were expected to secure reconstruction work assigned to Egypt, with some projects expected to be subcontracted to smaller Egyptian firms. MEE reached out to the Organi Group and the Egyptian State Information Service for comment but did not receive a response by time of publication. Organi, a 49-year-old tribal leader, has frequently been accused of using his ties to the Egyptian government to expand his influence in North Sinai and build his business empire across Egypt. He is reported to have led a tribal militia that fought alongside Egyptian security forces against an insurgency in North Sinai for almost a decade after the military coup that overthrew Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi. Reshaping Gaza In August, Israeli Army Radio reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz had given the green light to infrastructure work in eastern Rafah, on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line.  The report said the area was intended for a residential project for Palestinians living outside Hamas' control. Construction work would include excavation and connections to electricity, water and sewage networks, the report added.  Palestinian contractors and workers would undergo security checks by Israel's Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency before entering the area. Why Hamas believed the status quo was more dangerous than its 7 October gamble Read More » Netanyahu's office subsequently r