Proposed Plan for Gaza’s Reconstruction Sparks Outcry Over Displacement Concerns
A proposal under discussion in the White House, which envisions transforming Gaza into a series of advanced urban centers, has been criticized as an unacceptable justification for the large-scale displacement of the territory’s population.
A document outlining the plan, obtained and published this week, suggests the forced movement of Gaza’s 2 million residents and placing the area under U.S. oversight for at least ten years.
Titled the Gaza Reconstruction, Economic Growth and Transformation Initiative (GREAT), the proposal was reportedly developed by individuals involved in a previous U.S.- and Israel-backed aid organization, with financial guidance provided by an international consultancy firm.
The 38-page document describes what it terms the "temporary relocation" of Gaza’s population—a measure that critics argue would constitute a severe violation of human rights.
Residents would be incentivized to leave voluntarily, either relocating to another country or residing in limited, controlled zones during rebuilding. Landowners would receive a digital asset in exchange for development rights, intended to support resettlement. Those remaining would be housed in compact units of just 323 square feet—far smaller than most existing homes in the area.
It remains unclear whether the proposal reflects official policy, as neither the White House nor the State Department commented on the report. However, the plan appears to align with previously stated intentions to radically alter Gaza's population and infrastructure.
Philip Grant, head of a Switzerland-based human rights organization, condemned the document as "a strategy for forced expulsion disguised as progress."
"This strategy outlines forced expulsion under the guise of progress. The result? A clear example of mass displacement, altering demographics, and punitive measures against civilians," Grant said.
His organization is among several that have raised concerns about private firms working in Gaza alongside Israeli authorities, warning they may be contributing to violations of international law.
"Those involved in drafting or implementing such a plan—including corporate entities—could face legal consequences for years to come," Grant added.
Even within Israeli media, the proposal was met with skepticism. A commentary in a prominent newspaper dismissed it as "an unrealistic venture dependent on severe rights violations, technology, and economic promises."
The document, which includes bold claims about Gaza’s future, has drawn widespread condemnation for its implications for the civilian population.
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