An Israeli minister is advocating for the construction of an artificial island off the coast of the Gaza Strip in order to facilitate the import of goods to the territory, the Associated Press reported Monday.

Yisrael Katz, Israel’s transportation minister and one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top deputies, told reporters that he is pushing for the creation of a $5 billion artificial island that could house a seaport and possibly an airport to allow more goods into Gaza, which is ruled by the terrorist group Hamas. “Israel has no interest to make life harder for the population there. But because of security concerns we can’t build an airport or seaport in Gaza,” Katz said.

The island, according to Katz’s proposal, would be roughly three square miles and connected to Gaza by a three-mile bridge. It would be built in international waters, and while Israel would retain security control, Palestinians and the international community would run other aspects of the facilities there.

Israel imposed a blockade to prevent the import of weapons to Gaza after Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006 and violently expelled the Palestinian Authority from the territory. Egypt has also been blockading Gaza since Hamas’ takeover. Israel allows some 800 truckloads of goods into Gaza each day, including consumer goods and medical supplies. According to a December 2014 Palestinian Authority report, “93.6% of Gaza’s households own a satellite dish, 93.2% own a washing machine, 90% a refrigerator and 88.2% a television.”

Katz reiterated that Israel would not negotiate with Hamas, which is sworn to its destruction, but that he had received positive reactions to his plan from the Palestinian Authority.

[Photo: Aaed Tayeh / Flash90 ]