Lebanese researcher Rafic Nasrallah said on a December 15, 2023, show on Al-Manar TV (Hizbullah-Lebanon) that Israel plotted to destroy Gaza and establish a city on its ruins in 1948. He said that the city, which was intended to be called "Nova City," was supposed to be the most important city in the region, "similar to Tokyo." Nasrallah claimed that the Nova festival, which was held on October 7, and many of its participants were massacred, was named for this "Nova City," and Israeli dreams to establish it.
Rafic Nasrallah: "The plot against Gaza is old. Historically speaking, there was a plan in 1948 called 'Nova City.' The plan was to build Nova City, which would be the most important city in the [Middle] East, and would be similar to Tokyo. That city was meant to be built after the destruction of Gaza. Now some people might know that the party that was held on October 7, where we saw the people running away and the Israeli helicopters shooting at them…What was the name of that party? Nova! It was called 'Nova' because some Israelis still dream of building that city. Some people even say that they are already selling plots for that project."
Interviewer: "Where would that be?"
Nasrallah: "On the land of Gaza itself, after it would be pulverized. That's what they think, but the great [Palestinian] people…"
Interviewer: "Is it connected to the Talmudic doctrine?"
Nasrallah: "Yes. 'Nova' is one of the projects that came with the founding of the [Zionist] entity."