Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz has asked the government-owned Israel Natural Gas Lines to submit a detailed plan for the construction of a pipeline to the Gaza Strip, financial daily Calcalist reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, the move followed a series of meetings between Energy Ministry officials and international bodies, during which it was agreed that the project, estimated at $60 million, would be funded by European Union contributors.
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The construction of the pipeline would require Israel and Gaza, which is controlled by the Hamas terrorist group, to sign a gas contract.
Egypt has been leading indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in an effort to broker a long-term ceasefire.
A ministry source told Calcalist that if an agreement is reached it could be signed during the first quarter of 2020, allowing for the pipeline to be completed by 2022.
Should the plan come to fruition, the pipeline will be designed to supply Gaza with up to 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year, which could significantly alleviate the energy crisis plaguing the Strip.
