U.S. Gaza control proposal met with rejection by Hamas

In a controversial proposal that has sparked debate and criticism across the Arab world, a plan is being considered by the White House to turn Gaza into a US-administered trusteeship for at least 10 years. The goal of this transformation is to rebuild Gaza as a tourism magnet and high-tech hub.

The plan, reported by the Washington Post, is based on a 38-page prospectus for the Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust (GREAT Trust). According to the report, the plan includes the temporary relocation of Gaza's population, either through voluntary departures to other countries or into restricted, secured zones inside the territory.

One of the key aspects of the plan is the distribution of digital tokens to Gaza residents who own land. These tokens can be used to start a new life somewhere else or to redeem them for an apartment in one of the six to eight new "AI-powered smart cities" to be built in Gaza.

However, the proposal has drawn condemnation from Palestinians themselves, with Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim stating, "Gaza is not for sale." Another Hamas official has rejected the plan, arguing that it abandons the Palestinian people and keeps the occupier on their land.

The idea of transforming Gaza was first floated by Trump in February, with the goal of making it "the Riviera of the Middle East." However, no details of the initiative have been communicated to Hamas, and the official position of the U.S. government has not been explicitly stated. The State Department did not immediately reply to an AFP request for comment regarding the plan.

Critics of the plan argue that it potentially recalls the "Nakba," or mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel's creation in 1948. The proposal has been met with skepticism and concern by many, with some residents like Wael Azzam, 60, living in the Al-Mawasi area near Khan Yunis, calling it a "failed plan" without knowing its details.

Qasem Habib, a 37-year-old Palestinian living in a tent in Gaza City, described the proposal as "nonsense." The plan, if implemented, would affect approximately two million people living in Gaza.

As the world watches, the future of Gaza remains uncertain. The proposed transformation, if it moves forward, could have profound implications for the region and its people. Only time will tell what the final outcome will be.