Kushner-Witkoff Outline $112 Billion Gaza Smart-City Plan Backed by US Funding

A sweeping $112 billion plan to rebuild Gaza into a technologically advanced “smart city” with luxury resorts and modern infrastructure has been floated by Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and White House aides, with the United States pledging about $60 billion in grants and guarantees over 10 years. The plan, described in a 32-slide presentation, envisions transforming a war-torn coastline into an international destination and a hub for innovation, governance, and high-end hospitality.

The proposal, developed within roughly the last 45 days, outlines a phased reconstruction that would roll out over a decade. It calls for luxury hotels, high-speed rail, and an AI-optimized smart grid designed to modernize what officials described as a once-damaged waterfront into a bustling metropolis. A central feature would be the establishment of a Chief Digital Office and an Innovation Lab to define standards and guide policymaking for the new city. The plan does not specify which countries or companies would fund or operate the projects, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The scope of the envisioned reconstruction is sweeping, but it faces substantial questions. The plan calls for phased construction but does not include details about housing for the roughly 2 million Palestinians who would be displaced during such a massive redevelopment. It also notes that Gaza has an estimated 68 million tons of rubble following two years of intense hostilities, underscoring the formidable logistical and security challenges that would accompany any large-scale project. Supporters argue the concept could reframe the region’s economy and provide a model for technology-driven growth, while critics caution that the prognosis hinges on broader political changes and security assurances.

U.S. officials familiar with the proposal say that its feasibility depends on Hamas agreeing to disarm and on broad regional support, a condition that could complicate any immediate implementation. The Wall Street Journal reported that while the plan has been circulated and discussed with international partners, it remains unclear which countries or private sector actors would participate in funding or development.

In parallel outreach tied to the broader Gaza cease-fire discussions, Witkoff held a meeting Saturday in Miami with high-level delegations from Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to discuss the second phase of any cease-fire framework and potential implementation steps related to the proposal. The executive summary slide reportedly frames the effort as not just reconstruction but the creation of a gateway of prosperity in the Middle East through state-of-the-art infrastructure, urban design, and technology.

This concept, while attracting attention for its ambition, sits at the intersection of humanitarian, security, and economic policy debates that have defined Gaza’s two-year war and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Proponents say the plan could attract international investment, create jobs, and establish a new standard for urban resilience in conflict zones. Critics, however, emphasize the risks of displacement without clear housing guarantees, the necessity of enduring security assurances, and the challenges of financing a project of this scale amid ongoing violence and political uncertainty.

As with any such proposal, the execution would require not only substantial international funding and political support but also durable security arrangements, governance mechanisms, and credible commitments to human rights and humanitarian needs. The discussions continue to unfold against a backdrop of longstanding regional tensions, ongoing cease-fire negotiations, and complex dynamics among Israel, Gaza authorities, and neighboring states. The overall viability of “Project Sunrise,” as described by Kushner, Witkoff and their White House aides, remains a topic of intense scrutiny among policymakers, investors, and humanitarian groups alike.