Trump’s plan to transform Gaza ‘has given us a sense of hope’ Palestinians declare – after naysayers criticised his vision for the region

Palestinians living in Gaza told the Daily Mail that US President Donald Trump’s newly announced “master plan” for the region gives them a sense of hope and could improve their lives.

Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, presented the plan during a ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, after Trump signed the charter of the ‘Peace Board’, which aims to help secure peace in conflict-affected areas.

Master plans for Gaza outlined proposals for large-scale reconstruction aimed at full employment, coastal tourism corridors, high-rise buildings and thousands of new jobs.

The proposal drew harsh condemnation from critics, with a senior UN official saying: ‘Property development is always a great project – except when it is developed on the rubble of people’s homes.’

‘These new homes will be built on the cemeteries of countless unidentified Gazans killed during the war.’

Mustafa Barghouti, a politician in the West Bank, also reacted positively to this idea and said: ‘How can they make a plan without consulting the people of Gaza, that is, 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 removed from Al-Shati camp and now lives in Deir al-Balah, said he felt ‘optimistic’ when he heard about the plan.

The master plan for Gaza outlined proposals for large-scale reconstruction, coastal tourism corridors, high-rise buildings and thousands of new jobs.

100,000 permanent homes will be built and 500,000 jobs will be created in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, services and the digital economy

‘Many people in the area from which I was displaced were discussing this issue cautiously. ‘We are also realistic and know that change takes time.’

He said the ‘positive steps’ were welcome, adding: ‘This gives me a sense of hope because any idea to improve the situation, however small, is a starting point.’

Muhammad Taysi, 29, from Nuseyrat Camp, said there was a sense of ‘curiosity and caution’ in his community.

Speaking to the Mail, he added: ‘It attracts our attention to talk about Gaza internationally because we are fed up with the current situation and are looking for any opportunity to improve our lives.’

‘People didn’t reject the idea outright, but they said, ‘Let’s see actions, not just words.’

Taysi explained that while some Gazans are excited about the potential economic opportunities the new plan will bring, others fear that the plan is ‘disconnected’ from people’s real needs.

“Any plan that includes construction, job opportunities, electricity and water improvements 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.’

Two years of war have resulted in the displacement of almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip and the destruction of much of its civilian infrastructure

Kushner said demolition and debris removal work is already underway

Halima Awad, 54, who was expelled from Jabalia camp and now lives in Al Mawasi near Khan Younis, echoed a similar sentiment.

He said proposals that include quick fixes or sweeping changes in a short period of time feel disconnected from the extent of the 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.

He acknowledged that the plan brought him hope, but his community remains skeptical.

‘A plan that can help us feel improvement in our daily lives brings joy to the heart but there is also the fear that it will be nothing more than ink on paper,’ he said.

The two-year war, which began with a Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, followed by an Israeli military offensive, resulted in the displacement of almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip and the destruction of much of its civilian infrastructure into rubble.

Kushner said demolition and debris removal work is already underway and reconstruction will begin in Rafah, suggesting the transformation could be accomplished within two to three years.

Kushner revealed a rendered image of the Gaza coastline filled with skyscrapers and yachts

Kushner announced that the offer includes demilitarization of Gaza and the immediate removal of Hamas’ heavy weapons.

He also explained that the proposal included the demilitarization of Gaza, the immediate decommissioning of Hamas’ heavy weapons, and the start of reconstruction only in fully demilitarized areas.

Speaking alongside renderings of the redeveloped Gaza coastline featuring skyscrapers and yachts, Kushner announced that 100,000 permanent homes will be built and 500,000 jobs will be created in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, services and the digital economy.

‘Proposals regarding improving infrastructure or public services seem realistic,’ Al-Sakani said.

‘Repairing streets or providing job opportunities can make a difference to people by improving their lives and compensating them for even a small fraction of what they suffered during the war.’

Taysi added: ‘If there is real investment that creates jobs and improves services, it will be something tangible that people can feel quickly.’

In Davos last week, Trump told the audience that the war in Gaza was “over”, describing the ongoing clashes as “little fires” and saying there was determination to demilitarize Gaza and “rebuild it beautifully”.

The US leader described himself as ‘a real estate agent’ and said Gaza’s location made it ripe for transformation.

He said that when the reconstruction is completed, ‘people who live very badly will live very well’.

Trump and Kushner present their master plan for Gaza to an audience of world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos

Despite the size of these proposals, Gazans said that the most important thing for them was simply to live in security and comfort.

“We want them to understand that our daily lives are difficult and that the hope of peace, work and education is extremely important,” Al-Sakani said. he said.

Taysi added: ‘Gaza is not just about numbers or projects on paper.’

‘These are ambitious people, students who want an education, patients who need treatment and young people who want the chance to work in dignity and build their future.’

“People here want a normal life: security, freedom of movement and the opportunity to dream and realize those dreams,” the 29-year-old added.

Awad says he wants to return to his pre-war life.

‘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 be restored, with our simple rights: education, security, dignity and a homeland that accommodates us.’