A significant development emerged as representatives from the Trump administration revealed a comprehensive $112 billion proposal aimed at transforming Gaza into a futuristic destination known as “Project Sunrise.” This ambitious 10-year development plan, spearheaded by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, seeks to rejuvenate the war-torn region into a thriving international hub.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the proposal is currently being presented to potential investor countries through a detailed 32-slide PowerPoint presentation. The plan envisions the construction of luxury hotels, high-speed rail systems, and AI-optimized smart grid features, all designed to transform Gaza’s devastated landscape into a bustling metropolis along the Mediterranean coastline.
“Gaza’s destruction has been profound, but we believe what lies ahead is not just restoration — it’s a chance to develop a gateway of prosperity in the Middle East with state-of-the-art infrastructure, urban design, and technology,” reads a slide from the executive summary, highlighting the project’s aspirational goals. The total cost of the initiative, spread over a decade, includes an estimated $60 billion from the US in grants and debt guarantees.
The proposal further outlines the establishment of a Chief Digital Office and an innovation lab to create standards and guide policymaking towards a tech-driven governance model. However, the presentation lacked specifics regarding which countries or companies would contribute to the rebuilding fund. Despite presenting a phased construction approach, it did not address the housing needs of the approximately 2 million Palestinians who may be displaced during the extensive rebuilding efforts.
The destruction in Gaza has left behind an estimated 68 million tons of rubble, a result of thousands of Israeli airstrikes that have devastated cities over the past two years. While the proposal has ambitious aspirations, US officials familiar with the situation express skepticism about its viability, particularly because a crucial condition for implementation is the disarmament of Hamas.
As part of the discussions surrounding the implementation of this plan, Witkoff met with high-level delegations from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar in Miami to explore the next steps in the Gaza cease-fire agreement. These talks indicate a broader international interest in stabilizing the region and addressing the humanitarian crisis that has emerged from years of conflict.
The success of “Project Sunrise” remains uncertain, but its unveiling marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about Gaza’s future and the potential for reconstruction within a framework of modern urban development. As stakeholders assess the feasibility of this proposal, the focus will likely remain on both the economic and humanitarian implications of such a transformative initiative.
