Israel proposes payment for homes razed in Gaza Strip

The proposal, which also includes compensation for homes that were not populated, was raised during talks between IDF officers and Attorney General Menachem Mazuz about the legal repercussions of the Philadelphi expansion plan.

The idea of compensation entails a significant shift in the approach of the IDF, which for years has razed Palestinian homes along the Philadelphi route as part of ongoing operations. Many of the homes were destroyed after their owners vacated them, fearing the fighting that took place nearby.

The IDF is now proposing that compensation be paid to the owners of the homes, even if they were vacant, as long as they can prove ownership. The proposal is being backed by both Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon.

It appears that at least part of the motivation for the compensation offer stems from the negative image that the razing of the homes has caused internationally, and specifically in the United States, where uncharacteristic criticism was directed against this practice during recent IDF operations in the southern Gaza Strip.

The plan to broaden the Philadelphi route by demolishing homes along the length of it is not a new one, and was not part of the current, ongoing Operation Rainbow in the southern Gaza Strip. On the other hand, the proposal is an indication that the IDF has not given up on its plan to maintain control of the Philadelphi route and broaden it.

On the basis of aerial photographs, the broadening of the Philadelphi route by 200 meters will result in the destruction of about 700 Palestinian homes, most of them empty, abandoned by their owners as a result of the fighting in the area in the past three years. If the IDF decides to broaden the route by 300 meters, the number of homes slated for destruction will jump to 2,000, and perhaps more.

The discussion over the compensation did not detail the sums involved, but it was understood that the owner of the razed homes would be offered enough to rebuild their residences elsewhere.

There still remain administrative complications with the compensation proposal because it is doubtful that the Palestinian Authority will allow Palestinians to negotiate directly with the Israeli authorities.

The plan to compensate Palestinians is also not expected to find great support in Egypt, which will interpret the act as an entrenchment of Israel's hold of the road along its border with the Gaza Strip.

On the other hand, the proposal is a significant change from the unilateral approach that the IDF has maintained during its operations in the Gaza Strip

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/430588.html