Discussions surrounding the future of Gaza are intensifying, with several proposals for post-conflict reconstruction and governance coming to light. Key figures, including former U.S. adviser Jared Kushner and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have publicly discussed economic and real estate development in the region, while former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is reportedly involved in shaping a transitional governance plan.
Key Takeaways
- Jared Kushner is actively involved in discussions about Gaza's future, linking it to the broader goal of normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
- Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have presented separate plans for Gaza, with Smotrich describing the area as a potential "real estate bonanza."
- Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested the U.S. could "take over" the Gaza Strip, envisioning it as a "Riviera of the Middle East."
- Tony Blair is reportedly working on a proposal for a Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), allegedly commissioned by Kushner.
Kushner's Renewed Focus on Gaza
Jared Kushner, a former senior adviser in the Trump administration, has re-entered discussions about the Middle East, focusing on the period after the conflict in Gaza. During a recent podcast appearance, Kushner stated his belief that Hamas has been largely defeated, creating an opening to translate military outcomes into political progress.
He suggested that a satisfactory resolution in Gaza could pave the way for a full normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a key objective of the Abraham Accords he helped broker. "They have an opportunity to convert those military victories into political victories," Kushner said on the "No Priors" podcast.
Kushner's Business Interests
After leaving the White House, Jared Kushner founded Affinity Partners, a private equity firm with $3 billion in assets. According to reports, the fund raised $2 billion from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and has made investments in Israeli technology companies. These business ties place him in a unique position regarding regional economic development.
Israeli Proposals for Post-Conflict Governance
Several plans for Gaza's future have originated from within the Israeli government. Shortly after October 7, 2023, Israel's intelligence ministry reportedly drafted a memorandum suggesting the transfer of Gaza's 2.3 million residents to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. The document framed the proposal as a "humanitarian necessity."
This proposal was met with widespread international condemnation. Following the backlash, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office presented a different vision in February 2024, known as the "Gaza 2035 Plan."
The Gaza 2035 Plan
Netanyahu's plan was developed to counter a joint proposal from several Arab nations aimed at establishing a Palestinian state. The key elements of the Gaza 2035 Plan include:
- The creation of safe zones within Gaza, free from Hamas control.
- Establishment of a multilateral Gaza Rehabilitation Authority (GRA) overseen by a coalition of Arab states.
- Exclusion of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) from the GRA.
- Significant infrastructure investment, to be funded primarily by Arab countries.
The plan has so far failed to gain significant traction or support from Arab nations or the United States.
Real Estate and Economic Development Discussions
The idea of extensive property development in a post-conflict Gaza has been raised by both American and Israeli political figures. In February 2024, former President Donald Trump stated that the United States "will take over" the Gaza Strip, suggesting it could be transformed into a "Riviera of the Middle East."
Smotrich's "Real Estate Bonanza"
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been particularly vocal about the economic potential of Gaza. Speaking at a real estate conference, Smotrich referred to the territory as a potential "bonanza" and stated that reconstruction should follow demolition. He claimed to be in talks with the Trump administration about a "business plan" for the enclave.
"The demolition, the first stage in the city’s renewal, we have already done. Now we need to build," Smotrich said. He added that a business plan "put together by the most professional people here... is on President Trump’s desk."
Smotrich, a leader of Israel's far-right, has also advocated for reestablishing Israeli settlements in Gaza and incorporating the territory into Israel. While the official U.S. position has maintained distance from Smotrich, his comments highlight a specific vision for the region's economic future being discussed in some political circles.
The Role of Tony Blair
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has emerged as another key figure in planning for Gaza's future. Reports indicate that Blair, through his Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, has been developing a plan for a transitional authority to govern the Strip.
The proposal centers on creating a Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), which would be established through a UN Security Council resolution. This structure is similar in concept to the GRA proposed in Netanyahu's Gaza 2035 Plan.
It has been reported that Blair's involvement was commissioned by Jared Kushner, who sought an internationally recognized figure to present the post-conflict framework. A central element of the proposed plan is the downgrading of participation from Palestinian leadership, including the Palestinian Authority, under the premise of necessary reforms.
Historical Context of the Gaza Blockade
The current situation is rooted in events dating back nearly two decades. In 2006, Hamas won a majority in Palestinian democratic elections. Following a subsequent takeover of Gaza from Fatah, Israel and the United States imposed a comprehensive land, air, and sea blockade on the territory. According to a U.S. diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks, the stated goal of the blockade was to push Gaza's economy "to the brink of collapse." This long-term economic pressure has shaped the conditions in the region leading up to the current conflict.
The overarching goal of these U.S.-linked initiatives appears to be the successful expansion of the Abraham Accords, particularly the inclusion of Saudi Arabia. However, the viability of such diplomatic agreements has been questioned following the extended conflict and large-scale destruction in Gaza.
