Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said he’s approved a plan to open a seaport in Cyprus to benefit the Gaza Strip, but Hamas and Palestinian leaders are less than pleased about it.

Liberman said June 26 that he discussed the idea with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades during a June 21 visit to Cyprus. The plan is to set up a project development team within three weeks and to complete the port within three months.

However, the proposal is contingent on Hamas releasing two Israeli civilians and the remains of two Israeli soldiers. The dock would also allow Israel to monitor Hamas and prevent it from using this opportunity to smuggle weapons into Gaza.

The Israeli proposal comes as living conditions in the Gaza Strip deteriorate, with unprecedented high unemployment rates, malnutrition and a woefully low standard of living. This is as the Great Return March protests, which began March 30, continue along the border with Israel. There are growing fears among Palestinians and Israelis alike of a possible military faceoff between Hamas and Israel over the worsening humanitarian crisis.