A retired Israeli general who has had significant influence on Israel’s operations in Gaza has called for the Palestinian territory to remain in a state of devastation “for generations,” Middle East Eye reported on Monday, citing Israeli media. “Israel has no interest in Gaza being rebuilt, it is better for us that it be destroyed for generations to come,” Ret. Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland told Israel’s 103FM radio station. The campaign in northern Gaza also involved mass demolitions in the areas civilians were forced out of, destroying nearly all of the buildings in the north. Eiland said that Israel should be able to keep the land that it controls in Gaza, which is currently about 70% of the Palestinian territory.