The United States has unveiled a sweeping proposal to rebuild Gaza from the ground up, presenting a “New Gaza” master plan at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The plan was showcased during a signing ceremony for President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, a body tasked with ending the two-year war between Israel and Hamas and overseeing reconstruction efforts.
The presentation included slides showing a transformed Gaza skyline with dozens of skyscrapers along the Mediterranean, large housing estates in Rafah, and new industrial, agricultural, and residential zones designed for Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.
Trump, speaking at the event, said the reconstruction would be a major success and described Gaza as a prime coastal location with strong development potential.
“We’re going to be very successful in Gaza. It’s going to be a great thing to watch,” he said.
What the “New Gaza” Plan Includes
The master plan, as presented, outlines a phased redevelopment of Gaza, starting from Rafah in the south and moving northward toward Gaza City.
Key elements include:
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Coastal tourism zone featuring 180 tower blocks
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New residential districts
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Industrial complex, data centres, and advanced manufacturing hubs
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Parks, agriculture, and sports facilities
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A new seaport and airport near the Egyptian border
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A trilateral crossing where Egyptian and Israeli borders converge
A map included in the presentation also showed a strip of land along the Egyptian and Israeli borders, indicating a security perimeter where Israeli forces would remain until Gaza is deemed secure.
“New Rafah” and Timelines
The plan includes a major redevelopment of Rafah, which has been heavily destroyed by Israeli strikes and demolitions.
The slides show:
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More than 100,000 permanent housing units
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200 education centres
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75 medical facilities
Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, said he believed New Rafah could be built within two to three years and added that rubble removal and demolition work had already begun.
Reconstruction Linked to Demilitarisation
A central condition of the plan is the demilitarisation of Gaza, a demand that has been repeatedly rejected by Hamas unless an independent Palestinian state is established.
Kushner insisted demilitarisation is “starting now,” and said investment will only come if security is guaranteed. Trump also warned Hamas to surrender its weapons or face severe consequences.
War, Humanitarian Crisis & Fragile Ceasefire
The announcement comes amid a fragile ceasefire and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Since the ceasefire began, hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Israeli strikes, while UN agencies warn of severe food insecurity and shelter shortages.
Hamas has stated its commitment to the October ceasefire agreement but accused Israel of undermining efforts to consolidate peace. Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Trump’s efforts but stressed that Hamas must leave Gaza.
Gaza’s Future and Global Support
The U.S. plan also calls for an upcoming Washington conference where countries would announce contributions and private sector investment opportunities.
As the international community watches, the “New Gaza” proposal raises major questions about feasibility, security, and whether it can be achieved without political agreement from all parties involved.
