1956 documents revealed: Ben-Gurion pondered fate of Gaza

Ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Sinai War, documents from the IDF Archives revealing David Ben-Gurion's views on Gaza have been published.

Historical documents revealed from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Archives for the 70th anniversary of the Sinai War shed light on the views of then-Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion regarding the Gaza Strip, according to reports by Channel 7 and the Jerusalem Post. In the documents, Ben-Gurion warns against the security and moral costs of controlling the Strip, expressing concern that it would become an unbearable burden for Israel and lead to international isolation.

During the discussions, Ben-Gurion described Gaza as an "embarrassing" target. Regarding the possibility of annexation, he remarked: "If I believed in miracles, I would want it to sink into the sea." The materials also include documentation from Operation Honio, in which Jews were rescued from Port Said, Egypt. Further details have not yet been released.