Trump's aspirations for a transformation plan aimed at rejuvenating Gaza, coined as "Making Gaza Great Again"

The Donald Trump Administration has proposed a post-war plan for Gaza, known as the Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust (GREAT). This plan, which has been met with a mix of intrigue and controversy, aims to rebuild and transform Gaza into a modern, technologically advanced region.

The GREAT plan envisions at least a temporary relocation of Gaza's more than 2 million population. Those who choose to leave Gaza would receive a $5,000 cash payment and subsidies for four years of rent elsewhere, as well as a year of food. The plan also offers digital tokens to those who own land in exchange for rights to redevelop their property. These tokens can be used to finance a new life elsewhere or eventually redeemed for an apartment in one of six to eight new "AI-powered, smart cities" to be built in Gaza.

The plan is said to be "very comprehensive" and "well-meaning," reflecting President Trump's humanitarian motives, according to Steve Witkoff, the White House envoy. Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff were involved in discussions regarding the GREAT-Trust Plan for Gaza, alongside Ron Dermer, a senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

If implemented, the GREAT Trust proposal would not require government funding or donations. Instead, it would be financed by public and private-sector investment in mega projects such as smart cities, electric vehicle plants, data centres, beach resorts, and high-rise apartments.

However, the GREAT Trust proposal, as reported by The Washington Post, is unclear whether it is what Trump has in mind for post-war Gaza. It is worth noting that Trump had previously proposed a complete US takeover of Gaza alongside the permanent displacement of Palestinians from the coastal territory, but this framework was abandoned due to global opposition and being described as "ethnic cleansing" by the UN and other experts.

BCG, the consulting firm reportedly involved in the development of the GREAT Trust proposal, has stated that work on the trust plan was not expressly approved and that two senior partners who led the financial modelling were subsequently fired. The White House and BCG have declined to comment on the GREAT Trust proposal.

Sources familiar with trust planning and administration conversations over post-war Gaza spoke about the sensitive subject on the condition of anonymity. They revealed that the GREAT Trust proposal, if implemented, would make the Palestinian strip a "trusteeship" controlled by the United States for ten years. This fact was also mentioned earlier in the discussions.

Tony Blair, who also attended the meeting, has been sought by the Trump Administration for his views on Gaza's future. Jared Kushner, who attended the White House meeting, has extensive private interests in the Middle East and handled much of the president's first-term initiatives on the region.

The plan estimates that every individual departure from Gaza would save the trust $23,000 compared to the cost of temporary housing and "life support" services in the secure zones for those who stay. However, the implications and feasibility of such a massive relocation and redevelopment project are subjects of ongoing debate and concern.

In a meeting on August 27, the White House discussed ideas for ending the war in Gaza and post-war plans, attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The details of these discussions and the future of the GREAT Trust proposal remain to be seen.