In a surprising move, the Trump administration has unveiled an ambitious plan for the future of Gaza, aiming to establish a unified Palestinian-run territory and break down the barriers between Hamas and the Israeli-controlled areas. The blueprint, presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos by Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, represents a significant shift from the previous policies that sought to divide and isolate the region.
The plan, which is described as extremely ambitious, envisions a transformed Gaza, with gleaming apartment blocks, office towers, and neatly organized industrial parks and residential districts. Notably, the plan calls for the creation of a buffer zone along the Israeli border, a move that has raised concerns about the property rights of generations of Palestinians.
However, the plan also outlines more achievable short-term goals, including the restoration of basic infrastructure such as water, sewage, and electricity systems, as well as the reopening of the critical Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which has been closed since 2024.
The implementation of the plan will be overseen by a “high representative,” a veteran Bulgarian and UN diplomat, Nickolay Mladenov, and a newly formed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a panel of Palestinian non-partisan technocrats. The NCAG’s mission is to “restore order, to rebuild institutions and to recreate a future for the people of Gaza defined by opportunity and dignity under the principle of one authority, one law and one weapon.”
The plan’s success, however, will depend on the Trump administration’s determination to overcome Israeli objections and obstruction, as well as the ability to create a mechanism within Gaza to disarm Hamas. The plan notably does not mention the previously proposed international stabilization force, which faced significant challenges in securing participation from Arab and Islamic countries.
The immediate test of the plan will come next week, when the Rafah crossing is scheduled to reopen. This move is seen as a significant step towards ending Gaza’s isolation and opening it up to the future and the world. However, the plan still faces considerable opposition within the Israeli government, particularly from the far-right, who are adamant about emptying and annexing the territory.
Overall, the Trump administration’s Gaza plan represents a shift away from the traditional partition approach and a potential opportunity for a more unified and prosperous future for the region. However, the plan’s success will depend on the ability to navigate the complex political landscape and overcome the substantial hurdles that have long plagued the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
