The “Board of Peace” established by Donald Trump has unveiled a series of photographs depicting the US President’s ambitious real estate-focused vision for a future Gaza after conflict.
Presented at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, the images showcase a transformed Gaza coastline adorned with modern high-rise structures labeled as “New Gaza” and “New Rafah.” These developments are promoted as commercial centers aimed at providing employment, education, and services to the people of Gaza, but they have faced severe criticism for being perceived as an attempt by business interests and authoritarian figures to exploit the region.
The unveiled photos have evoked unpleasant memories of previous initiatives led by the Trump administration using advanced technology in Gaza.
The displayed slides depict a rapidly developing Gaza, showcasing a network of transportation hubs and concentrically organized residential areas. Additional visuals, some sourced from stock footage, highlight proposed “transport hubs,” commitments to establish “energy and digital infrastructure,” and ambitious investment plans with expected returns.
Speaking at the WEF, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and key investor, introduced a $25 billion (£18.5 billion) proposal to transform Gaza into an economic powerhouse, projecting a GDP of $10 billion (£7.4 billion) by 2035.
The proposal envisions converting a significant portion of the Gaza shoreline into a designated area for coastal tourism, featuring 180 mixed-use towers along the coast. Inland areas of the Gaza Strip would be allocated for residential neighborhoods and industrial zones to accommodate data facilities and manufacturing plants.
Outlined infrastructure plans this week include the construction of a port, an airport, a trilateral crossing at Rafah, and an extensive network of ring roads resembling American urban planning to connect Gaza’s various communities.
The proposed initiatives have sparked widespread outrage, particularly among displaced Palestinians who express concerns about the future under the leadership of accused war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu, whose Israeli Defense Forces have been responsible for over 70,000 casualties since October 7, 2023.
Among the critics is Manal al-Qouqa, a displaced Gazan mother, who laments that each new announcement only exacerbates Palestinian suffering. Another displaced individual, Suhail al-Hanawi, blames Netanyahu and Trump for fueling global conflicts and doubts the promised benefits will materialize.
He remarked, “For us, the displaced in the camp, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that our plight will be alleviated or that any real improvements will occur.”
One social media commentator has raised suspicions, alleging that the entire plan is a strategic move to exploit Gaza’s resources, specifically its natural gas, and eliminate the Palestinian cause by seizing control of the region’s strategic assets.
The Board of Peace comprises various controversial global leaders beyond the polarizing Trump, including, as announced today by the President, the authoritarian Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
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