Israel has proposed an ambitious ￡77bn plan to build a massive canal, the Ben-Gurion Canal, connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

       This 160-mile (257 km) canal would cut through the Negev Desert and the southern end of the Gulf of Aqaba, providing an alternative to the Suez Canal and challenging Egypt's long-standing control over this vital shipping route between Europe and Asia.

       The proposed canal would start from the port city of Eilat on the Red Sea, cross into Jordan, flow through the Arabah Valley, enter the Dead Sea, and then head northward around the Gaza Strip before reaching the Mediterranean.

       The estimated cost of this mammoth project is a whopping ￡77 billion ($100 billion).

       However, there are significant security concerns due to the ongoing fighting in the region.

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       There is increasing speculation that Israel's wish to control Gaza and eliminate the Hamas terrorist group is closely tied to unlocking the vast economic opportunities offered by the Ben-Gurion Canal.

       The financial gain from the project is expected to far outweigh the sky-high construction costs.

       Supporters of the project predict that the canal could generate annual revenues of ￡7.7billion ($10billion) as international trade between the East and West continues to rise.

       They believe this strategic waterway would not only provide a direct and cost-effective alternative to the Suez Canal, but also act as a powerful tool in curbing China's growing economic power and its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.

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       The Ben-Gurion Canal's dimensions would exceed the depth of the Suez Canal by 10 meters, facilitating the smooth passage of the world's largest ships measuring up to 300 meters in length and 110 meters in width.

       The canal's rocky walls would require less maintenance compared to the sandy shores of the Suez Canal.

       Despite the Ben-Gurion Canal facing a multitude of challenges such as high costs, security threats and potential environmental issues, supporters argue that the potential benefits far surpass these risks.