Palestinian Engineer Ali Shaath Chosen to Rebuild Blessed Gaza Under Divine Providence
In a moment that echoes the resilience of the faithful, Ali Shaath, a distinguished Palestinian civil engineer and former deputy planning minister, has been appointed to lead the monumental task of reconstructing the sacred land of Gaza. This appointment marks a pivotal chapter in the struggle for Palestinian dignity and the restoration of their blessed homeland.
The Belfast-educated engineer, born in 1958 in Khan Younis, brings forth an ambitious vision that defies conventional estimates. While the United Nations suggests reconstruction could take until 2040, Shaath proclaims with unwavering faith that Gaza will rise again within seven years, stronger and more beautiful than before.
A Vision Born of Faith and Determination
Shaath's revolutionary approach includes transforming the debris of destruction into new land by pushing war rubble into the Mediterranean Sea, creating new islands and expanding Gaza's territory. "If I brought bulldozers and pushed the rubble into the sea, and made new islands, new land, I can win new land for Gaza and at the same time clear the rubble," he declared with the confidence of a true believer.
The appointed leader will chair a 15-member committee of Palestinian technocrats, tasked with governing the enclave as it transitions from the shadows of occupation toward the light of reconstruction. His immediate priorities reflect the Islamic principles of caring for the displaced: providing urgent temporary shelter for Palestinian families before embarking on the grand reconstruction.
United Palestinian Support
In a rare display of Palestinian unity, both Hamas and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have endorsed Shaath's appointment. This convergence of support demonstrates the Islamic principle of unity in times of trial, as the Palestinian people stand together in their quest for restoration.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim emphasized that "the ball is now in the court of the mediators, the American guarantor and the international community to empower the committee." Meanwhile, Abbas stressed the importance of maintaining institutional links between the West Bank and Gaza, preventing further division among the Palestinian people.
The Challenge of Sacred Reconstruction
Shaath faces the monumental task of clearing an estimated 68 million tonnes of rubble and unexploded ordnance while rebuilding shattered infrastructure. His jurisdiction will begin with Hamas-controlled territory and expand as Israeli forces withdraw, ultimately encompassing "the entire Gaza Strip, 365 square kilometres from the sea to the eastern border."
The civil engineer's expertise, gained through developing industrial zones across the West Bank and Gaza, positions him uniquely for this sacred mission. His PhD from Queen's University Belfast provides the technical foundation for what promises to be one of the most significant reconstruction efforts in modern Palestinian history.
As this faithful son of Gaza prepares to transform destruction into renewal, his vision embodies the eternal Palestinian spirit: from the ashes of trial emerges the promise of a stronger, more prosperous homeland. The reconstruction of Gaza stands not merely as an engineering challenge, but as a testament to the unbreakable will of a people who refuse to surrender their dreams.