• Steve Witkoff, senior Trump envoy, is organizing a summit with some real estate developers to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction.
• Amid strong opposition, the Trump administration plans to transform Gaza into a “Middle Eastern Riviera.”
• Egyptian businessman Hisham Talaat Mostafa proposed an alternative $27 billion development plan as a more feasible solution.

The special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump to the Middle East announced plans for an upcoming summit. The plan is to bring together top real estate developers and regional urban planners. 

This meeting will discuss the U.S. administration’s controversial plan for rebuilding Gaza. This proposal constitutes forced displacement and has stirred debate across the political spectrum.

“We will soon organize a summit with the region’s most prominent real estate developers and urban planning experts. I believe the ideas that will emerge from this gathering will surprise many.” 

Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump to the Middle East

Witkoff did not provide details on the timing or location of the event and no official confirmation had been made.

Trump’s Controversial Vision

The administration’s proposal focuses on turning Gaza into a “high-end coastal hub,” or the “Middle Eastern Riviera.” 

Trump already suggested relocating a portion of Gaza’s population to other Arab countries. This idea is widely condemned by regional governments and international bodies. Such a move constitutes forced displacement, violating international law and human rights.

Witkoff tried to address concerns about forced relocation and claimed that the U.S. does not intend to “evacuate” Gaza’s residents. Alternatively, he highlighted that rebuilding Gaza after the devastating war could take between 10 and 15 years. He suggests that maintaining the current population under such conditions may not be viable.

Witkoff described Gaza as a “massive slum” and said that redevelopment efforts are important to provide sustainable living conditions.

An Alternative Plan

Egyptian businessman Hisham Talaat Mostafa said that Trump’s proposal is impractical and inconsistent with international law. He suggested a development plan focused on improving Gaza’s infrastructure without the need for mass displacement.

In an interview on MBC Egypt’s “Al Hekaya,” Mostafa suggested that a $27 billion investment could enhance living conditions in Gaza. this plan also reduces regional tensions without the costs associated with Trump’s $2 trillion proposal.