Trump's Vision for a Transformed Gaza

In a stunning turn of events, a controversial postwar plan for Gaza, dubbed the GREAT Trust (Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust), is circulating within the Trump administration. This ambitious proposal suggests relocating the entire population of Gaza—over 2 million residents—to develop the land into a luxurious U.S.-administered economic and tourism hub.

The Great Relocation: A New Beginning or a Forced Exodus?

The 38-page proposal envisions a temporary relocation of Gaza's residents, offering options for voluntary departures to other countries or moving them to secure zones during the area’s reconstruction. In a bid to incentivize this relocation, each Palestinian who opts to leave would reportedly receive a $5,000 cash grant, along with four years of rent subsidies and a year’s worth of food assistance. The plan asserts that relocating individuals would save substantial costs compared to providing housing for those who choose to stay.

High-Tech Dreams: Gaza Transformed into a Luxury Destination

The overarching goal is to turn Gaza into an advanced industrial center and a prime tourist destination, featuring AI-powered "smart cities" equipped with modern amenities, including housing, commercial facilities, and parks. Landowners would trade redevelopment rights for digital tokens, enabling them to finance new lives or secure luxurious apartments in these new urban areas.

A Star-Studded Planning Team

The plan is reportedly backed by influential figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former British PM Tony Blair, in a meeting led by Trump himself. While no formal policies have emerged from these discussions, insiders describe the planning process as "very comprehensive." Notably, this initiative has raised eyebrows due to its ties to several Israeli stakeholders who previously worked on humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

Private Investment Focus: A Non-Government Funded Vision

What sets this plan apart is its emphasis on not requiring U.S. government funding. The proposal aims to attract significant private investment, projecting a near fourfold return on a $100 billion investment over the next decade through various mega-projects, such as electric vehicle factories, data centers, and beachfront resorts.

Challenges Ahead: A Shift from Peace to Profit?

Previous postwar proposals for Gaza involved UN oversight and governance by the Palestinian Authority, options that Israel has firmly rejected, advocating instead for continued security control over the region. As discussions progress, the stark contrasts between humanitarian needs and economic ambitions in Gaza become increasingly apparent.

Rebuilding Gaza: A Comprehensive Approach?

The GREAT Trust plan outlines an extensive reconstruction strategy to clear debris and dangerous remnants of conflict, rebuild utilities and the electrical infrastructure, and develop industrial and touristic zones. The future of Gaza, under this bold vision, hinges on complex negotiations and the reactions of its people—will it be a new beginning or a contentious upheaval?