Once dismissed as the pipe dream of fringe extremists, the idea of resettling Gaza has gained momentum

From a few points on the periphery between Israel and Gaza, it is possible to see the bombed-out ruins of the besieged Palestinian territory; every so often, the boom and thud of airstrikes and artillery fire sends plumes of grey and white smoke into the wide autumn sky.

For most onlookers, the scene is apocalyptic - but for rightwing Israelis who want to resettle the strip, it’s a promising new horizon. Once dismissed as the pipe dream of fringe extremists, the idea is gaining momentum thanks to Israel’s military success in Gaza, and political support from Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition.