U.S. Post-Conflict Strategy for Gaza Detailed in 38-Page Document: Insights on American Plans

The Middle East has been shaken by a controversial plan for the redevelopment of the Gaza Strip, which has sparked international debate and concern. The proposal, known as the Gaza Reconstruction, Economic Acceleration, and Transformation Trust (GREAT Trust), was developed during the Trump administration by the US-supported humanitarian group, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

The GREAT Trust plan includes the construction of six to eight "smart cities" in Gaza, funded by public and private investments. These cities will feature electric vehicle factories, data centers, and hotels, aiming to modernize and revitalize the enclave. However, the plan has been met with criticism and accusations of ethnic cleansing, with the United Nations expressing concern over potential displacement of residents.

The plan calls for the voluntary relocation of approximately two million residents from the Gaza Strip. Landowners will receive digital tokens to fund a new life elsewhere or exchange for an apartment in these new smart cities powered by AI technology. Those who agree to leave will also receive $5,000 in cash, along with assistance for four years of rent and one year of food.

The controversy surrounding the GREAT Trust plan stems from the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of people due to Israel's retaliation. According to Palestinian authorities, Israel's retaliatory offensive has resulted in over 63,000 deaths in the territory, the majority civilians. The war, which was sparked by an attack on Israel by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas on October 7, 2023, also resulted in around 1,200 deaths and 250 refugees.

Israel's retaliation also imposed a blockade on the delivery of humanitarian aid, further exacerbating the situation in Gaza. The destruction of nearly all of Gaza's infrastructure has left the territory in ruins, making the reconstruction efforts all the more urgent.

The proposal has been praised by Israeli far-right elements but has been rejected by Arab countries and most Western nations. U.S. President Donald Trump proposed the idea of U.S. occupation of the Gaza Strip in February, suggesting that the inhabitants could be resettled in Egypt and Jordan. However, the U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a comment request from France-Presse (AFP).

Despite the controversy, the GREAT Trust plan moves forward, with the aim of managing the enclave for ten years before transferring control to a reformed and deradicalized Palestinian entity. The plan, which has been published in a 38-page document by The Washington Post, remains a contentious issue in the Middle East and beyond.