Kushner’s Bold Vision: Rebuilding Gaza as a Futuristic Hub with 180 Skyscrapers and $25 Billion Investment
By: Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com
January 23, 2026 – Davos, Switzerland
In a stunning presentation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Jared Kushner, son-in-law and senior advisor to President Donald Trump, unveiled a comprehensive “master plan” for the postwar reconstruction of Gaza. Dubbed “New Gaza,” the blueprint envisions transforming the war-ravaged Palestinian territory into a gleaming economic powerhouse, complete with up to 180 skyscrapers, luxury waterfront developments, data centers, and advanced infrastructure. This ambitious proposal, backed by the Trump administration and tied to the newly inaugurated “Board of Peace,” promises to inject at least $25 billion into the region, aiming to elevate Gaza’s GDP to over $10 billion by 2035.
Kushner’s address came during the signing ceremony for the Board of Peace, an international body designed to oversee the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, enforce demilitarization, and coordinate reconstruction efforts. The plan, which Kushner described as a shift from humanitarian aid dependency to a “free-market, investment-driven economy,” has sparked intense debate. Supporters hail it as a pathway to prosperity and stability, while critics decry it as a thinly veiled real estate scheme that ignores Palestinian sovereignty and the human cost of the conflict.
The Master Plan: Phases and Key Features
The reconstruction blueprint is structured in four distinct phases, progressing from south to north, with each phase focusing on rebuilding and modernizing specific areas of Gaza. Kushner emphasized that the plan is contingent on “security” – a euphemism for the complete demilitarization of Hamas and the establishment of stable governance under international oversight. “Without security, nobody is going to make investments,” Kushner stated during his 10-minute speech, underscoring the plan’s reliance on the Board of Peace to enforce compliance.
Phase One: Rafah (City 1) – The southern city of Rafah, largely razed during the conflict, would be the starting point. Plans call for the rapid construction of 100,000 permanent housing units, designed as modern apartments with access to new utilities and public services. Kushner projected completion within two to three years, drawing parallels to large-scale urban developments in the Middle East, such as those in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. “In the Middle East, they build cities like this in three years,” he said, highlighting the feasibility of the timeline.
This phase also includes the reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, scheduled for next week – a critical step for increasing the flow of goods and aid. The Trump administration has committed to short-term goals in the next 100 days, including restoring water, sewage, electricity, hospitals, and bakeries, to lay the groundwork for larger investments.
Phase Two: Khan Younis (City 2) – Moving northward, Khan Younis would see the development of industrial zones, including advanced manufacturing facilities and logistics corridors. A new freight line and trilateral crossing at Rafah are proposed to boost trade, connecting Gaza to regional markets.
Phase Three: Central Camps (City 3) – This area, historically home to refugee camps, would be redeveloped into residential districts with parks, agricultural spaces, and sports facilities. Kushner’s slides depicted green zones interspersed with high-rises, aiming to provide “full employment and opportunity” for residents.
Phase Four: Gaza City (City 4) – The northern hub would feature the plan’s crown jewels: a coastal tourism corridor with 180 skyscrapers, luxury resorts, and beachfront promenades. An inland airport – replacing the one destroyed over two decades ago – and a modern seaport are central to this phase, positioning Gaza as a “destination” for tourists and investors. Data centers and business districts would drive tech and service sectors, with projections estimating a transformation from aid reliance to a self-sustaining economy.
Overall, the $25 billion investment would cover utilities, public services, and infrastructure, with the U.S. potentially committing up to 20% of costs over 10 years under “Project Sunrise.” Kushner touted “amazing investment opportunities,” envisioning Gaza as a “Riviera of the Middle East” with strong industry and real opportunities for thriving.
Economic Projections and Rationale
Kushner argued that the plan represents a paradigm shift, moving Gaza away from “dependence on humanitarian aid” toward a model based on “free-market principles” similar to Trump’s domestic economic policies. By 2035, the territory could become a regional economic hub, with a GDP exceeding $10 billion, driven by tourism, tech, and manufacturing. “It could be a hope. It could be a destination,” Kushner said, praising real estate developers involved and repeating that there is “no Plan B” – only commitment to success.
The rationale draws from successful postwar reconstructions elsewhere, but it’s conditioned on demilitarization. Hamas signed a ceasefire agreement in October 2025, and the Board of Peace – now including nations like Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, and Turkey – will monitor compliance. Critics note that while the plan promises 75 medical facilities and 100,000 housing units, it falls short of the UN’s estimated $50 billion needed for basic survival, potentially prioritizing investor returns over immediate humanitarian needs.
Criticisms: Ethnic Cleansing or Real Estate Grab?
The plan has drawn sharp rebuke from various quarters. Palestinian advocates and international observers argue it sanitizes a humanitarian catastrophe, treating Gaza as a “blank slate” without meaningful input from Palestinians. Some former European Parliament members have called the Board of Peace an “Imperialist Project” involving “continued Ethnic Cleansing,” pointing to the lack of Palestinian consent and the burial of war-crime evidence under new developments.
Human rights groups have labeled it a form of “Ethnic Extermination,” criticizing the focus on luxury towers and data centers amid ongoing displacement and starvation. The proposal’s map shows a buffer zone along the Israeli border, slicing off Palestinian land, and ignores property rights of generations. “This is not reconstruction for Palestinians but a coercive real-estate seizure,” one analyst noted, highlighting how it converts an occupied people into a “foreign-owned asset class.”
Skeptics also question feasibility: Israeli troops continue firing on Palestinians, and Hamas’s disarmament remains uncertain. Several major outlets have described the vision as “far removed from the destruction, desperation, and political realities on the ground,” while others warn of major obstacles like security and funding gaps.
Support and Broader Context
Proponents, including Israeli voices and Trump allies, view the plan as a rebuff to extremists on both sides. Some reports have noted it promotes a “unified Gaza run by Palestinians,” with the Rafah crossing’s reopening as a tangible win. Supporters praise the demilitarization focus, arguing it ensures long-term security.
In the broader context, the Board of Peace represents Trump’s bold diplomacy, attracting 17 nations but facing pushback – Canada was recently excluded, and some EU countries like Belgium and Greece declined to align with the U.S.-led initiative. Pakistan joined but emphasized that “reconstruction cannot replace justice,” insisting on Palestinian consent.
Challenges Ahead and Global Implications
As the Board of Peace moves into implementation, the next 100 days will test the plan’s viability. Immediate aid and infrastructure restoration are priorities, but long-term success hinges on demilitarization and attracting private investment. While Kushner’s CGI renderings paint a utopian picture, the reality of Gaza – with over two years of war leaving ruins and displacement – demands more than blueprints.
This proposal could redefine the Middle East, but it risks deepening divisions if perceived as imposed rather than collaborative. As one social media comment queried: “Is this a game-changer or just a dream?” The world watches as Gaza’s future hangs in the balance.
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