Rebuilding Hope: The US 'New Gaza' Initiative Unveiled

Fri Jan 23 2026 03:29:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

At the World Economic Forum, the U.S. presents ambitious plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, envisioning a revitalized territory with skyscrapers, new infrastructure, and hope for the future.

During a presentation at the World Economic Forum, the U.S. introduced its comprehensive reconstruction plans for the war-torn Gaza Strip, dubbed 'New Gaza'. The initiative includes numerous high-rise buildings, residential areas, and infrastructure aimed at facilitating economic revival and sustainable development. As tensions between Israel and Hamas persist, the roadmap emphasizes hopes for peace alongside significant investment opportunities.

The US has unveiled its plans for a 'New Gaza' that would see the devastated Palestinian territory rebuilt from scratch.

Slides showed dozens of skyscrapers stretching along the Mediterranean coast and housing estates in the Rafah area, while a map outlining the phased development of new residential, agricultural, and industrial areas for the 2.1 million population.

They were presented during a signing ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos for President Donald Trump's new Board of Peace, which is tasked with ending the two-year war between Israel and Hamas and overseeing reconstruction.

'We're going to be very successful in Gaza. It's going to be a great thing to watch,' Trump declared.

'I'm a real estate person at heart, and it's all about location. And I said: Look at this location on the sea. Look at this beautiful piece of property. What it could be for so many people.'

Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who helped broker the ceasefire that took effect in October, said 90,000 tonnes of munitions had been dropped on Gaza, and there were 60 million tonnes of rubble to clear.

A map of the US 'Master Plan' showed a zone reserved for 'coastal tourism,' featuring 180 tower-blocks, educational and medical facilities, and new infrastructure such as a seaport and airport near the Egyptian border.

Redevelopment would be divided into four phases, starting in Rafah and then gradually moving north towards Gaza City, with Kushner expressing optimism that the construction could be completed within two to three years.

Despite plans for a hopeful future, the humanitarian crisis remains dire, as the war has resulted in significant loss of life and destruction, with UN estimates stating that 81% of structures in Gaza are either destroyed or damaged.

As efforts continue towards rebuilding, there are calls for a central role for the Palestinian Authority in administering Gaza, which will be crucial for the reconstruction efforts and establishing sustainable peace.