The “Board of Peace” led by Donald Trump has unveiled a series of images showcasing a futuristic urban development plan for a post-conflict Gaza region.
These visuals were presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting a transformed Gaza landscape with modern high-rise buildings along the coast. The proposed “New Gaza” and “New Rafah” aim to revitalize the area as bustling business centers, offering employment opportunities, training, and services to the local population.
However, the initiative has faced backlash, with critics labeling it as a strategy to exploit the region for economic gains by developers and authoritarian figures. This project has reignited concerns about previous controversial schemes introduced by the Trump administration for Gaza.
The presentation depicted a redesigned Gaza featuring extensive transportation networks and concentric residential neighborhoods. It outlined plans for significant investments in infrastructure, energy, digital technologies, and projected high returns on investments.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a key investor, pitched the $25 billion proposal as a catalyst to transform Gaza into a thriving economic hub, aiming to boost the region’s GDP to $10 billion by 2035.
The proposed development includes transforming the Gaza coastline into a tourist destination with 180 mixed-use towers, while inland areas are designated for residential communities and industrial zones to support data centers and manufacturing facilities.
Infrastructure plans encompass constructing a port, an airport, a crossing at Rafah, and a network of ring roads connecting urban centers in a style reminiscent of American cities.
Despite the grand vision, the project has sparked outrage among displaced Palestinians who view it as another attempt by figures like Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump to control the region. The skepticism is shared by individuals like Manal al-Qouqa and Suhail al-Hanawi, who express doubts about the tangible benefits of the proposed development.
Critics on social media have raised concerns that the plan may be aimed at exploiting Gaza’s resources, strategically positioning the region for economic gains, and undermining the Palestinian cause.
Notably, the Board of Peace includes controversial world leaders, with Trump announcing the involvement of Vladimir Putin alongside representatives from countries like Belarus, Hungary, and Saudi Arabia, raising further questions about the project’s intentions.
As global tensions escalate, the inclusion of leaders from nations involved in conflicts like Ukraine underscores the geopolitical complexities surrounding the Board’s vision for Gaza and its potential implications.