"Gaza Riviera": A Leaked Document Reveals Controversial US Plan for Evacuating and Monetizing the Strip for 99 Years

Months after its initial proposal, the "Gaza Riviera" plan, a vision first floated by President Donald Trump, is back in the spotlight. A recently leaked document provides a detailed blueprint for the future of the Gaza Strip, outlining a post-war restructuring under direct US supervision. The plan leverages artificial intelligence and the mass displacement of the Palestinian population as key mechanisms for achieving this transformation.

A Plan Based on Mass Evacuation and AI-Driven Development

The document, a 38-page report obtained by the Washington Post, reveals the specifics of the "Gaza Reconstruction, Economic Acceleration, and Transformation Fund" (GREAT). This plan rests on two main pillars: the "voluntary" relocation of the population and the long-term exploitation of Gaza's public lands for massive investment projects.

• Evacuation and Financial Incentives: The plan offers enticing financial incentives to encourage Palestinians to leave Gaza for other countries. Each individual choosing to depart would receive a $5,000 relocation bonus, in addition to four years of rental assistance and one year of food aid. The document speculates that these incentives would prompt a quarter of Gaza's population (around 500,000 people) to leave, with an estimated 75% of them not returning.

• Real Estate Investment and Smart Cities: In parallel, the plan proposes transforming Gaza into six to eight AI-powered "smart cities," alongside an industrial hub named after billionaire Elon Musk. To fund these projects, Gaza's public land—which constitutes approximately 30% of the strip's area—would be leased to the GREAT fund for up to 99 years, a move designed to generate assets worth over $300 billion.

Who is Behind This Plan?

The document was authored by a controversial entity called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which reportedly receives direct support from Israel and the United States. While its stated goal is to provide humanitarian aid, UN experts have accused the organization of exploiting the humanitarian crisis for military and geopolitical purposes, a clear violation of international law. The plan also details a 10-year period of direct American oversight for Gaza, aimed at establishing a "reformed and de-radicalized" Palestinian political system capable of governing the territory.

A Complete Disregard for International Law and Palestinian Rights

Strikingly, the document makes no mention of international law regarding forced displacement, nor does it acknowledge the explicit Palestinian and Arab rejection of these concepts. It completely ignores the imperative of establishing an independent Palestinian state and instead proposes solutions that contradict the positions held by Arab nations and the international community.

One of the most contentious aspects of the plan involves "digital tokens." Palestinians who leave their land would be granted a digital ownership deed from the GREAT fund in exchange for relinquishing their rights to their property. These tokens could later be redeemed for housing units in the new projects, effectively monetizing their land rights.

Widespread Condemnation from Allies and the International Community

Since its initial unveiling, the plan has triggered widespread regional and international outrage. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the UAE have backed Egypt's firm rejection of any attempts to empty Gaza of its population. Human rights organizations have condemned these plans as "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide," accusations that the Israeli government vehemently denies. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly supported Trump's idea. The Palestinian response has been equally unequivocal. Hamas has categorically rejected any such scheme, with Basem Naim, a member of the group's political bureau, stating that "Gaza is not for sale," reaffirming its status as an "integral part of the Palestinian homeland," a position that reflects a unified popular and political consensus against any infringement on the Palestinians' right to their land and future.