STRATEGIC CANAL VISION (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Recently, there has been speculation that Israel's efforts to eliminate Hamas from the Gaza Strip are driven, in part, by a desire to create conditions conducive to exploring a significant economic opportunity that has been discussed for several decades. 

• The concept involves constructing a canal through Israel's Negev Desert, connecting the Gulf of Aqaba to the Eastern Mediterranean as an alternative to the Egyptian-controlled Suez Canal, potentially reshaping regional trade routes. 
• This ambitious project aims to enhance economic opportunities while bypassing the traditional route through the Sinai Peninsula.

Mediterranean Sea

• About: The Mediterranean Sea, situated between Europe, Africa, and Asia, is a substantial water body.
• Link: Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar and connects to the Red Sea via the Suez Canal.
• Encompassing a variety of countries and regions such as Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, the Mediterranean Basin exhibits geographical diversity.
• Bordering Countries: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey.

Red Sea 

• About: The Red Sea, a partially enclosed marginal sea, is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean situated above the Red Sea Rift, a component of Africa's Great Rift Valley.
• Bordering Countries: Djibouti, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Eritrea, and Yemen.