Palestinians living in Gaza have told the Daily Mail that US President Donald Trump‘s newly unveiled ‘master plan’ for the territory has given them a sense of hope and could improve their lives.
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner recently presented the plan during a ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, after Trump signed the charter of his ‘Board of Peace’ intended to help secure peace in areas affected by conflict.
Their master plan for Gaza outlined proposals for large-scale reconstruction, coastal tourism corridors, high-rise developments, and thousands of new jobs, aiming for full employment.
The proposal has drawn sharp condemnation from critics, with one senior UN official saying: ‘Real estate development is always a great project – except when it’s developed on the rubble of people’s homes.’
‘These new residences will be built on graveyards of countless unidentified Gazans who were killed during the war.’
Mustafa Barghouti, a politician in the West Bank also hit out at the idea, saying: ‘How can they have a plan for Gaza without consulting its people: the Palestinians?’
Meanwhile, for ordinary Gazans displaced by two years of war, the announcement offered a glimmer of hope.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Youssef Al-Sakani, 65, who was displaced from Al-Shati camp and is now living in Deir al-Balah, said he felt ‘optimistic’ when hearing of the plan.
Palestinians living in Gaza have said US President Donald Trump’s newly unveiled ‘master plan’ for the territory has given them a sense of hope
The master plan for Gaza outlined proposals for large-scale reconstruction, coastal tourism corridors, high-rise developments, and thousands of new jobs
100,000 permanent housing units would be built and 500,000 jobs created across construction, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and the digital economy
‘Many people in the area where I’m displaced were cautiously discussing it. At the same time, we’re realistic and we know that change takes time.’
He said ‘positive steps’ were welcome, adding: ‘It gives me a sense of hope, because any idea to improve the situation is a starting point, even if it’s small.’
Mohammed Taysi, 29, from Nuseirat Camp, said there was a sense of ‘curiosity and caution’ amongst his community.
Speaking to the Mail, he added: ‘Talk about Gaza at the international level catches our attention because we are tired of the current situation and are looking for any opportunity to improve our lives.’
‘People didn’t reject the idea outright, but they did say, ‘Let’s see actions, not just words,’ he said.
Taysi explained that while some Gazans were excited about the potential economic opportunities the new plan would bring, others feared it might be ‘disconnected’ from people’s real needs.
‘Any plan that includes reconstruction, job opportunities, and improvements to electricity and water definitely gives us a positive feeling,’ Taysi said.
‘The only fear is that decisions might be made about us without involving the people who live this reality every day.’
The two-year-long war saw almost the entire population of the Gaza strip displaced and much of its civilian infrastructure reduced to rubble
Kushner said demolition and rubble removal were already underway
Halima Awad, 54, displaced from Jabalia camp and now living in Al-Mawasi near Khan Younis, echoed a similar sentiment.
She said proposals involving rapid solutions or sweeping changes in a short time frame felt detached from the scale of destruction in Gaza.
‘An idea that does not take into account the situation and living conditions of the people will naturally be a plan that is far from reality,’ she told the Daily Mail.
She acknowledged that the plan does bring her hope, but her community remains skeptical.
‘A plan that could help us feel improvement in our daily lives brings joy to the heart, but there is also fear that it will be nothing more than ink on paper,’ she said.
The two-year-long war, started by Hamas’ terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and followed by an Israeli military offensive, saw almost the entire population of the Gaza strip displaced and much of its civilian infrastructure reduced to rubble.
Kushner said demolition and rubble removal were already underway and that rebuilding would begin in Rafah, suggesting the transformation could be achieved within two to three years.
Kushner revealed a generated image of Gaza’s coastline with skyscrapers and yachts
Kushner revealed that the proposal included the demilitarisation of Gaza, with Hamas’s heavy weapons to be decommissioned immediately
He also revealed that the proposal included the demilitarisation of Gaza, with Hamas’s heavy weapons to be decommissioned immediately and reconstruction beginning only in fully disarmed sectors.
Speaking alongside generated images of a redeveloped Gaza coastline featuring skyscrapers and yachts, Kushner revealed that 100,000 permanent housing units would be built and 500,000 jobs created across construction, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and the digital economy.
‘The proposals related to infrastructure or improving public services seem realistic,’ Al-Sakani said.
‘Fixing the streets or providing job opportunities could make a difference for people by improving their lives, and compensating them for even a small part of what they’ve experienced during the war.’
Taysi added: ‘If there is real investment that creates jobs and improves services, that would be something tangible that people could feel quickly.’
Last week in Davos, Trump told the audience that the war in Gaza was ‘coming to an end,’ describing ongoing fighting as ‘little fires,’ and said there was a commitment to ensure Gaza was demilitarised and ‘beautifully rebuilt.’
The US leader described himself as a ‘real estate person at heart’ and said Gaza’s location made it ripe for transformation.
He said that people ‘living so poorly are going to be living so well’ once reconstruction is complete.
Trump and Kushner presenting their master plan for Gaza to an audience of world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos
Despite the scale of these proposals, Gazans have said the most important thing for them is simply to live in safety and comfort.
‘We want them to understand that our daily lives are difficult, and that hope for peace, work, and education is extremely important,’ Al-Sakani said.
Taysi added: ‘Gaza is not just numbers or projects on paper.’
‘It’s people with ambitions, students who want an education, patients who need treatment, and young people who want a chance to work and build their future with dignity.’
‘People here want a normal life: safety, freedom of movement, and the opportunity to dream and make those dreams come true,’ the 29-year-old added.
Awad says she wishes to return to her life how it was before the war.
‘Our lives used to be simple, easy, and full of wonderful things, but now life has become difficult and the challenges are great.
‘All we want is for our lives to return to what they were before, with our simple rights: education, security, dignity, and a homeland that shelters us.’
