The Blogs: Oasis 1 Rebuild for Gaza: A Path to Israel’s Security and Unity

The Max Transit System as Imagined by Grok AI

On November 21, 2023, I sent a proposal to the IDF outlining the Oasis 1 Project—a bold peace initiative to transform Gaza into a hub of stability and cooperation through secure zones fostering integration between Gazans and Israeli society. The vision was ambitious, but when Nobel laureate Professor Robert Aumann reviewed it, he called it “wonderful” yet “utterly impractical.” His game theory critique forced me to confront the significant challenges of implementing such a plan in a conflict-ridden region.

As we enter Passover week, April 12–19, 2025—a time when Jews celebrate liberation from slavery in Egypt—the ongoing war in Gaza, with 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, casts a somber shadow over the festivities (Web ID: 0). Israel’s frustration with the United Nations, widely perceived as biased against Israel due to its history of resolutions critical of Israeli policies, underscores the need for Israel to maintain complete control over any peace initiative (Web ID: 11).

As a medical anthropologist, I’ve reimagined Oasis 1 to align with Israel’s security needs, ensuring that Israel retains authority while addressing the deep trauma of the hostage crisis and the broader conflict, offering a practical path to stability and a stronger Klal Yisrael. Here’s a detailed look at what Oasis 1 proposed, the problems we faced, how Aumann’s feedback shaped our modifications, what’s happening in Israel and Gaza during this Passover week, and why this revised plan benefits Israel.

The Original Oasis 1 Proposal: A Vision for Peace and Prosperity

The Oasis 1 Project aimed to transform Gaza into a beacon of peace and productivity through a $2.5 billion initiative, leveraging the collaborative framework of the Abraham Accords, which have facilitated $10 billion in trade since 2020 (State Department, 2023). It was built on three interconnected pillars to address Gaza’s dire crises -40-60% unemployment, 97% unfit water, and 1.9 million displaced—while fostering integration with Israel (UN OCHA 2025).

First Pillar: Oasis Zones
Oasis 1 proposed creating secure, modular settlements along Gaza’s 35-km Mediterranean coast, starting with a capacity for 50,000 residents and scalable to 500,000. These zones would feature rapidly deployable caravan-style homes, schools to educate the next generation, markets to stimulate trade, and farms focused on fishing and agriculture to ensure food security. Governance would involve local councils under a cooperative Israel-Arab framework to ensure inclusivity and accountability, with Israel retaining ultimate control to safeguard its security interests.

Security was a top priority: an IDF-led military presence, similar to U.S. bases in Japan, would safeguard the zones, with a transition plan tied to stability milestones determined by Israel. The goal was to reduce Gaza’s 40-60% unemployment by 20-30% and create shared spaces where Gazans and Israelis could interact through cultural events, sports, and other activities, fostering reconciliation through mutual benefit (UN OCHA 2025). This pillar aimed to address immediate humanitarian needs while laying the foundation for long-term peace, drawing on anthropological theories of integration that emphasize building trust through shared purpose (Bar-Tal, 2004).

Second Pillar: MAX Caravan Line
Connectivity was central to economic revival, and the MAX Caravan Line was a flagship component. Initially a 20-km high-speed transit system linking Gaza to Ashdod, it used electric pods traveling at 50-150 mph with advanced tunneling technology tailored to Gaza’s flat terrain. Later plans expanded this to a 45-km core system, capable of moving 15,000 passengers hourly, with ambitions to extend to 1,200+ km, connecting Gaza to key regional hubs like Amman (Jordan), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Abu Dhabi (UAE), and Beirut (Lebanon).

The phased construction, overseen by the IDF, was planned to begin in mid-2025 at Sderot’s 1950 Armistice Line, leveraging existing infrastructure to reduce risks by 30-50% and cut costs by 15-20% ($30-80 million vs. new builds). Subsequent phases included North Sinai in 2027 (total cost $15-25 billion, with Israel contributing $6-8 billion), ensuring $25-45 billion in economic benefits for Egypt, followed by additional zones 10-30 km east in 2028-2029, 20-30 km east in 2029, and 40-60 km east in 2030+, each phase adding 2,000-4,000 jobs.

The IDF’s role included assessing risks, clearing areas, patrolling ($20-40 million/year), and coordinating with Egypt and the U.S. ($4 billion aid) to ensure security, maintaining Israel’s control over the project’s execution. A sketch of this vision, adjusted to reflect Gaza’s geographical layout, shows Gaza and North Sinai labeled as “Oasis,” with blue lines (Gaza) and pink lines (Israel) converging at security points controlled by the IDF, symbolizing Israel’s oversight. At the same time, orange arrows indicate future generations—termed “pronations”—as neutral or pro-nation entities over 20 years, migrating across Gaza and Israel for shared opportunities (UN OCHA 2025). The MAX Caravan Line aimed to open markets, create trade and logistics jobs, and integrate Gaza into the regional economy, cutting unemployment by up to 50% and fostering interconnected prosperity under the Abraham Accords, with economic benefits like $1-2 billion in annual conflict cost savings (UN OCHA 2025).

Third Pillar: Solar and Biodiversity Projects
Sustainability addressed Gaza’s environmental challenges. With 300+ sunny days yearly, Gaza is ideal for solar energy. Oasis 1 proposed 50-100 MW solar farms to power desalination plants, providing clean water to half the population and reducing water scarcity by 30% (per WHO models). Restoring groves and coastal ecosystems would attract tourists, generating $100-500 million in annual revenue. These projects aimed to create green jobs, halve water scarcity, and position Gaza as a leader in eco-friendly development, transforming environmental liabilities into economic assets. This pillar complemented the economic and social goals of the oasis zones and MAX Caravan Line, creating a holistic approach to Gaza’s revival under Israel’s oversight.

The implementation was phased: a 2025 pilot for 5,000 residents, a 2026 expansion to 50,000, and a full rollout by 2027-2028 for 500,000, supporting 250,000 tourists yearly and enabling local elections under Israel’s supervision. The plan projected $1-2 billion in annual conflict cost savings, a 20-40% reduction in terrorism risks, and 50,000-100,000 new jobs (UN OCHA 2025; RAND 2023).

The Problems: Why Implementation Was Impractical

Implementing Oasis 1 faced significant hurdles, which Aumann’s game theory critique helped illuminate. First, Hamas’s strategic behavior posed a considerable obstacle. With 20,000-40,000 fighters and 36% public support, Hamas has a dominant strategy to disrupt safe zones, using civilians as human shields and diverting aid, as seen during the March 2025 siege when Israel halted aid entries, exacerbating shortages (UNRWA Situation Report #164). Their tunnel networks and 8,000+ rockets fired since 2001 have made large-scale projects vulnerable (UN OCHA 2025). The 59 Israeli hostages further complicated operations, as aggressive actions risked their lives, a deeply emotional issue for Israelis who felt the weight of their captivity every day.

Second, incentive misalignment for Gazans undermined the plan. Many Gazans—80% of whom are 1948 refugees—might see integration as capitulation, especially with 36% leaning toward Hamas due to its social services like schools and clinics (UN OCHA 2025). Without clear incentives to shift away from Hamas, cooperation was unlikely.

Third, security risks in early stages threatened the project. Aumann’s game theory stresses trust-building through consistent actions. The original plan’s scale—six zones for 1.7 million Gazans—risked early Hamas attacks, eroding trust. Gaza’s 90% damaged roads made moving even 25,000 people daily unfeasible (UN OCHA 2025).

Fourth, funding and regional cooperation challenges made the plan unfeasible. The $16-23 billion budget relied on AA nations like the UAE and Bahrain, but they’re hesitant amid Gaza’s crisis (95% hospital collapse, 20% infant malnutrition). Egypt’s refusal to open Rafah or host Gazans in North Sinai, coupled with tensions over Israel’s control of the Philadelphi Corridor and Egypt’s border wall construction since February 2024, isolated Gaza (Web ID: 0, Web ID: 2, Web ID: 17). Countries like Qatar, Iran, and Turkey, which have funded Hamas—Qatar alone providing millions to Hamas’s governing bureaucracy in Gaza—posed a significant risk to Israel’s security, making their involvement unacceptable (Web ID: 19, Web ID: 20).

Fifth, civilian unrest and humanitarian constraints added complexity. The crisis—95% hospital collapse, 20% infant malnutrition, 46,600+ deaths—fueled unrest, with protests over food shortages in February 2025 signaling growing desperation (Web ID: 3). Scaling to 500,000 residents required extensive infrastructure, such as high-rise buildings costing $5-10 billion if Rafah (64 km², 1.4 million displaced) became the hub, alongside 85 million liters/day of desalinated water, posing significant logistical and financial challenges (UN OCHA 2025).

Passover Week 2025: The Situation in Israel and Gaza

As Passover week begins on April 12, 2025, Israel and Gaza are gripped by escalating conflict, tempering the holiday’s celebration of freedom (Web ID: 0). In Israel, many families are observing Passover with heavy hearts, unable to fully celebrate while 59 hostages remain in Gaza (Web ID: 3). Protests in Jerusalem reflect public frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, including his plan to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet and the ongoing war, with some Israelis refusing reserve duty (Web ID: 6, Web ID: 7). The IDF has bolstered its West Bank division with six additional companies for the holiday, detaining 85 Palestinians over the past week, while settlers have attacked Palestinian villages like Duma, setting houses on fire (Web ID: 11, Web ID: 24). Netanyahu is in Budapest, discussing Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC amid his own ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes (Web ID: 24).

In Gaza, the situation is dire. Israel resumed intensive bombing on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire, and has since killed nearly 600 Palestinians, including 85 in a single night (Web ID: 6, Web ID: 7). Recent strikes in Khan Younis, Rafah, and Jabalia have killed dozens, including children, with an airstrike on a Jabaliya health clinic shelter killing 19, including nine children (Web ID: 5, Web ID: 7). Netanyahu announced on April 2 that Israel is “seizing territory” to “divide up” Gaza, creating a new “Morag route” to isolate Khan Younis from Rafah, adding to the 17% of Gaza already under Israeli control (Web ID: 5, Web ID: 13). The IDF has issued sweeping evacuation orders, forcing Palestinians from Rafah and Khan Younis to al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian zone that has been repeatedly bombed (Web ID: 5, Web ID: 7).

Modifications Based on Aumann’s Feedback

Aumann’s critique prompted a reimagining of Oasis 1 to address these challenges while prioritizing hostage safety and saving lives. We’ve scaled back to a single safe zone in northern Gaza, near Erez, for 20,000 residents—5,000 infants, 5,000 wounded, and 10,000 displaced—by late 2025. This $150 million phase focuses on immediate needs: 5,000 tents ($15 million), 5 mobile hospitals ($20 million), desalination for 3 million liters of clean water daily ($30 million), and clearing 300,000 tons of rubble ($3 million). A 1-km micro-MAX Caravan corridor ($10 million) ensures secure aid delivery via Erez, bypassing Rafah. The IDF secures the zone using double-layered biometric checkpoints ($10 million), AI surveillance with thermal imaging ($15 million), and rocket-resistant infrastructure ($15 million). Unit 8200 uses ground-penetrating radar ($15 million) to detect tunnels within a 10-km radius, while 300 special forces ($15 million) conduct surgical strikes on 1,000 Hamas leaders outside the zone, using non-lethal methods like drone surveillance ($5 million) to protect the 59 hostages. Pre-setup sweeps ($5 million) and real-time civilian monitoring ($5 million) prevent infiltration during construction. We’ve allocated $10 million to support Egypt talks, proposing a phased ceasefire tied to the hostages’ release in exchange for Hamas’s withdrawal from a 10-km radius around the safe zone, enabling safer operations under Israel’s authority.

To reduce tensions fueling Hamas’s support, we’ve introduced a pilot program for de-escalation within the safe zone ($5 million). Overseen by the IDF, this program provides trauma counseling, non-violence workshops, and cultural exchange activities—like mixed sports events and art programs—for 5,000 Gazan residents, focusing on youth and families. By fostering shared purpose through education and integration, we aim to counter Hamas’s appeal (Proposal: The Oasis 1 Project, p. 1). Immediate benefits—5 mobile hospitals saving 5,000 infants and jobs for 3,000 Hamas defectors ($15 million)—cut Hamas’s 36% support base. Community inclusion programs ($5 million) ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable, with local Gazan leaders involved to reduce unrest, all under Israel’s oversight.

Benefits to Israel: Security, Stability, and a Stronger Klal Yisrael

Helping Gazans through this scaled-down Oasis 1 benefits Israel in three key ways. First, it enhances security. A single, secure safe zone minimizes Hamas’s ability to launch attacks, reducing rocket threats (8,000+ since 2001). The pilot program reduces tensions, potentially cutting Hamas’s 36% support base and lowering terrorism risks by 20-40% in the long term (RAND 2023). Zone 5, launching in 2036 ($50-100 million), will house 100,000 by 2045, training 50,000 young leaders annually to counter Hamas’s ideology, ensuring lasting stability under Israel’s control.

Second, it fosters stability. Sea-based aid delivery of 2,000 tons daily ($10 million) reaches 50,000 Gazans in three months, saving 1,500 lives, while non-lethal methods (drone drops, $2 million) protect hostages. A stable Gaza reduces the humanitarian crisis that fuels unrest, which could otherwise spill into Israel (Web ID: 3), a critical concern for Israelis seeking safety amidst ongoing threats.

Third, it strengthens Klal Yisrael through inclusivity. My work draws on anthropological cooperation theories, showing that societies thrive through mutual benefit (Bar-Tal, 2004). The kibbutz and IDF service connect people to Israel through service to the land—Oasis 1 extends this to Gazans in a controlled manner, potentially becoming a Marshall Plan for Gaza, as seen in post-WWII Japan and Germany. By integrating Gazans through shared purpose under Israel’s authority, we reduce segregation, making Israel a stronger, more unified nation, aligned with the inclusive spirit of Abraham’s four-cornered tent.

The MAX Caravan Line: A Game-Changer for the Abraham Accords

The MAX Caravan Line offers immense value to the Abraham Accords (AA) nations. It facilitates tariff-free trade and unifies 5% of external tariffs, potentially generating $165 billion in trade and benefiting AA economies like the UAE and Bahrain. Extensions to Amman, Medina, Abu Dhabi, and Beirut enhance regional connectivity, strengthening AA nations’ economic ties.

An Early Sketch of the Max Subway System Linking Oasis Zones in Gaza by Dr. Whimsy Anderson

A sketch of this vision, adjusted to reflect Gaza’s geographical layout, shows Gaza and North Sinai labeled as “Oasis,” with blue lines (Gaza) and pink lines (Israel) converging at security points controlled by the IDF. At the same time, orange arrows indicate future generations—termed “pronations”—as neutral or pro-nation entities over 20 years, migrating across Gaza and Israel for shared opportunities (UN OCHA 2025). By supporting peace in Gaza, AA nations gain geopolitical influence. This value enhances the patent-pending IP’s worth, estimated at $35-70 million, reflecting potential licensing revenue if the patent is granted with strong claims covering the MAX Caravan Line (based on a 5% royalty on $165 billion, discounted over 20 years at 10%).

Funding: A Commitment to Israel’s Allies

Funding for Oasis 1 will come from trusted partners committed to Israel’s security: America, the private sector, companies that invest in kibbutzim, the IDF, and Israel’s Abraham Accords partners—the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

We explicitly exclude any involvement from entities that have funded Hamas, such as Qatar, Iran, or Turkey, which have provided millions to Hamas, enabling its military buildup. This policy has directly threatened Israeli lives (Web ID: 19, Web ID: 20), ensuring that Oasis 1 aligns with Israel’s security priorities and maintains its integrity as a project for peace.

A Step Toward a Safer Future

Oasis 1’s modifications address Aumann’s concerns while prioritizing hostage safety and saving lives, reflecting Israel’s deep commitment to protecting its citizens. A smaller $150 million budget, funded by America, the private sector, kibbutz investors, the IDF, Israel, and AA partners, ensures feasibility. Helping Gazans isn’t just humanitarian—it’s strategic. A stable Gaza means fewer rockets, less terror, and a stronger Klal Yisrael, proving that inclusivity, under Israel’s control, can secure Israel’s future.