At the World Economic Forum in Davos, former White House adviser Jared Kushner presented a controversial redevelopment blueprint for Gaza that envisions transforming the war-ravaged territory into a luxury coastal destination within three years. The proposal, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, features gleaming skyscrapers, tree-lined promenades, and terraced apartment towers overlooking the Mediterranean—a stark contrast to Gaza’s current reality of widespread destruction.
Kushner, operating without official title but as one of Trump’s envoys for Gaza ceasefire efforts, described his ‘master plan’ as aiming for ‘catastrophic success.’ He projected requiring至少$25 billion in investments to rebuild infrastructure and public services, promising that within a decade Gaza could achieve a $10 billion GDP with households earning an average of $13,000 annually through ‘100-percent full employment.’
The presentation notably omitted mention of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose government had spearheaded a separate reconstruction plan supported by Arab nations and the European Union in 2025. Gaza’s newly appointed administrator under Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ framework acknowledged the Egyptian plan as the ‘foundation’ for reconstruction efforts.
The vision emerges against a grim backdrop: according to UN-verified figures, Israel’s retaliatory assault following Hamas’ October 2023 attack has killed至少71,562 Palestinians, with widespread damage to neighborhoods, hospitals, and schools forcing hundreds of thousands into makeshift shelters. A US-brokered ceasefire implemented last October has reduced bombing but failed to alleviate what UN officials describe as ‘inhumane’ living conditions.
Kushner argued that complete disarmament of Hamas—as stipulated in the October ceasefire agreement—would unlock corporate and donor commitments, with investment announcements expected ‘in a couple of weeks in Washington.’ The proposal has sparked global criticism for its timing and perceived disregard for Palestinian political aspirations amid ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.