US Proposes Decade-Long Plan for Gaza’s Reconstruction and Relocation

A new postwar initiative proposed by the Trump administration outlines a comprehensive plan for the Gaza Strip that includes a decade-long US trusteeship and the relocation of approximately 2.3 million Palestinians. According to a report by the Washington Post, the plan, dubbed the Gaza Reconstruction, Acceleration and Transformation Trust (Great), envisions resettlement in designated secure zones or relocation to unspecified countries as part of a broader recovery strategy.

The Great initiative aims to address immediate humanitarian needs while establishing a framework for long-term reconstruction. Under the plan, each Palestinian choosing to leave Gaza would receive $5,000, along with funds to cover four years of rent and one year of food. This relocation strategy is projected to save the trust $23,000 per individual compared to the costs associated with providing temporary housing and humanitarian services for those who remain.

Infrastructure and Investment Goals

The plan includes ambitious infrastructural developments such as a new highway, tram route, railway connections, and energy projects, including solar and desalination plants. Additionally, the proposal calls for the construction of industrial zones and luxury resorts along the coast. The total cost for these projects is estimated at $100 billion (€85 billion), with expectations that this investment could quadruple over a decade.

Financing for these initiatives will come from both the private sector and public investments rather than direct funding from the US government. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has faced criticism for its operations, will oversee the establishment of the trust. The foundation has been coordinating humanitarian efforts in Gaza and relies on private US security and logistics firms to deliver aid, despite concerns raised about its effectiveness.

Security and Governance Arrangements

The plan stipulates that the Israeli army would maintain overall security in Gaza, while the GHF would manage aid distribution and temporary housing construction. According to the Great prospectus, the GHF intends to train a local police force and gradually transfer authority to an “independent Palestinian polity” made up of vetted individuals. Long-term security arrangements between Israel and the Palestinians would also be established as part of the initiative.

The proposal has drawn comparisons to earlier plans put forth by regional powers, including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, which suggested that a technocratic government should govern Gaza during the reconstruction period. Notably, a summit held in March 2025 saw Arab leaders endorsing Egypt’s proposal for a Palestinian technocratic government, alongside the establishment of an international fund worth $53 billion aimed at rebuilding Gaza.

While Hamas has expressed willingness to cooperate with a technocratic governance structure, it has firmly stated it will not disarm or return control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. Israel, on the other hand, has insisted on Hamas disarmament as a precondition for any political transition.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, especially considering the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where reports indicate that over 1,000 people have been killed trying to receive aid since the GHF began operations in May 2025. The United Nations has raised alarms about the deteriorating conditions, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting 348 deaths due to starvation since the onset of conflict in October 2023.

As the situation develops, the effectiveness and feasibility of the Great plan will be scrutinized against the backdrop of ongoing tensions and humanitarian needs in the region.