Construction of a Secure Underground Rail Link Connecting Gaza and the West Bank

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Gaza-West Bank Train Link Tunnel

The Gaza-West Bank Tunnel would make a contiguous Palestinian Entity a reality, thereby significantly contributing to a successful Palestinian statehood and the long term resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

1. High-speed rail connection
2. Cargo service
3. Passenger service

Location of the train link

a. General

Construction of a tunnel connecting Gaza and the West Bank by secure rail – designed for the transport of commercial containers as well as for the secure flow of passengers and messages, including a direct cargo link from West Bank manufacturing and agricultural centers to the newly constructed seaport in Al Mawasi -- with planned links to Northern Gaza, Jordan and Eastwards; potentially, also to Israeli exporters. The tunnel would help make a contiguous Palestinian entity a reality, thereby, significantly contributing to successful Palestinian statehood and the long term resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. A tunnel could also be used to accommodate high-speed communication links between Gaza and the West Bank, consistent with UN Millennium Development Goals.

Phase Three would include projects at both ends of the tunnel. It would also facilitate major infrastructure improvements.

Prior to completion of the tunnel, the use of secured convoys could be resumed, as recently recommended by the World Bank. According to the Bank: “Convoys could consist of tractor-trailers carrying sealed containers, following appropriate pre-shipment inspection and scanning. Eventually it might be possible to relax the use of convoys, relying instead on electronic means to monitor container movements (e.g. GSP-linked transmitters or transponders), with obligatory reporting stations along the route.” While consistent with the objectives of this project, we believe a secure rail link is a better long-term solution. The positions of past Israeli governments indicate that it would be feasible politically under the right conditions.

As noted above, secure access of West Bank business to the proposed seaport is important to the success of the seaport as a profitable entity.

b. Location of the Tunnel

It seems apparent that the shortest distance is located between the northern end on the Gaza Strip at Beit Nanoun to Dura, near Hebron in the West Bank—as proposed in Prime Minister Barak’s elevated highway scheme in 1999. Nevertheless, origin - destination studies would have to be undertaken to assure final locations are most effective in achieving the most good with the least negative impact.

The impact to these two points of departure / arrival are critical not only in their design, but more essentially on their impact on the existing residential / semi urban fabric that they would be constructed in and affect. The physical infrastructure with rail lines and roadways, transportation stations and transport storage and transfer facilities would be major in size and have potential impact on existing settlements and systems.

c. Tunnel Type

The type of tunnel is to be established. Discussions about “cut and fill” construction with relatively minor subsurface conditions would still require major surface construction work and disruptions. Deeper tunnels would involve less surface disruption but would result in higher costs. With deeper tunnel placement security may be more achievable.

With any “cut and fill” plan, the route between the West Bank and Gaza would be difficult involving day-to-day construction through developed areas. It would require significant cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian authorities. The exact route below ground and the projected effects of construction will be critical.

For these reasons, a deeper tunnel would appear to be superior over a “cut and fill” tunnel.

d. Transportation Service

The type of service within the tunnel is also to be finalized. For reasons of security, the project is inclined towards a rail link utilizing state-of-the-art security systems capable of easily moving both passengers and cargo, including containers. The train might also carry automobiles and other vehicles.

A direct link to the seaport is critical, perhaps by road rather than rail, but only if security concerns are met.

e. Infrastructure Development

To accommodate the new connection, infrastructure development and planning on a large scale will be important. The economic impact of the tunnel clearly would have a major impact on both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. New economic venues and their developments will need new roads, new power supplies, new rail systems within the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They would be necessary and expected. New population movements would suggest an adjustment in other infrastructure elements like housing, schools and neighborhood centers and accompanying these growths, will come the planning of new water sources and water creation, and water distribution and treatment facilities.

In any comprehensive plan regarding the infrastructure, particularly in transportation, the impact of this development would affect adjacent countries. In this regard roads, superhighway and rail systems would be international in scope involving Jordan, Israel and Egypt, and would have to be addressed by these adjacent countries.

f. Environmental Concerns

Environmental concerns also need to be addressed. Assessments of energy use would include fuel costs.

Water tables and considerations related to the shallow Gaza Aquifer are to be investigated. The deposit of displaced soil from the excavation should be explored for its positive potential and secondary use.

g. Archaeological Considerations

The impact of the construction of any tunnel relatively close to the surface must fully take into account any historical and archaeological implications.