A document from Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” has unveiled images illustrating the US President’s ambitious real estate-oriented vision for a post-war Gaza. Presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the photos depict a transformed Gaza coastline adorned with modern skyscrapers labeled as “New Gaza” and “New Rafah,” pitched as commercial centers to provide job opportunities and services to Gazans. However, these plans have faced criticism for being seen as a scheme by developers and authoritarian figures to exploit the area.
The proposals have evoked past memories of the Trump administration’s AI-driven initiatives for Gaza. The visuals showcased by the board portray a highly developed Gaza featuring transport nodes and circular arrangements of white residences. These plans promise energy, digital infrastructure, significant investments, and profits.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and key investor, introduced a $25 billion proposal at the WEF, envisioning Gaza as an economic epicenter that could generate a GDP of $10 billion by 2035. The proposal entails transforming a section of Gaza’s coast into a tourism zone with 180 mixed-use towers, while the inland areas would house residential neighborhoods and industrial zones for data centers and manufacturing facilities.
Included in the infrastructure plans are a port, airport, a tri-lateral crossing at Rafah, and an extensive network of roads connecting urban areas in a similar fashion to American cities. However, these proposals have incited widespread outrage, particularly among displaced Palestinians, who fear the influence of accused war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Defense Forces.
Critics, including displaced individuals like Manal al-Qouqa and Suhail al-Hanawi, express skepticism about the potential benefits of the project, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians. Al-Hanawi mentioned a lack of tangible improvements that could alleviate their suffering or offer hope for a better future.
A social media commentator speculated that the plan aims to exploit Gaza’s resources, strategic location, and eliminate the Palestinian cause rather than genuinely benefit the local population. The controversial “Board of Peace,” which includes leaders like Vladimir Putin, has faced severe backlash, especially as Trump announced the addition of Putin and representatives from countries like Belarus, Hungary, and Saudi Arabia to the board amid ongoing global tensions.
