Project Sunrise finally reveals the missing piece in understanding why the United States provides military and financial support to Israel. Still in the early proposal stage, the project envisions turning Gaza's ruins into a futuristic, AI-driven “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Project Sunrise, led by President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and a team that includes a Middle East envoy and two White House aides, was outlined in a 32-page PowerPoint presentation. As reported by wall street journalreplacing images of bombed-out Gaza with coastal skyscrapers, penthouses, and a “shining metropolis.”
Inside the Trump administration's “Project Sunrise” for Gaza
Project Sunrise is estimated to cost £88.6 billion ($112.1 billion) over 10 years, with the US pledging £47.4 billion ($60 billion) in “grants and debt guarantees”. The plan also included input from Israeli authorities, contractors, and private sector stakeholders. However, the team said the figures will be revised “approximately every two years” as the project progresses.
The plan has received significant support, with supporters arguing that it would be better to implement President Trump's vision for Gaza than worsen the “humanitarian crisis.” We also recognize that this project presents significant challenges. Two years of Israeli offensives have left the area with around 68 million tons of rubble and more than 10,000 bodies buried beneath it. Special protective gear will be required to clear the area, as the ground remains toxic and littered with unexploded ordnance.
The 32-slide presentation highlights what it calls the biggest issues in bold red font. That's Hamas. The team argued that Hamas fighters remain on the ground and that this issue must be addressed if Gaza is to be rebuilt.
Kushner's team said plans to begin resolving the issue could be in place “as early as two months.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “You're not going to convince anyone to invest money in Gaza if they believe there will be another war in two or three years.”
Rebuilding Gaza: What will happen to the Palestinians?
Besides Hamas, Project Sunrise faces another major challenge. It also does not specify plans for the more than 2 million displaced Palestinians, or how the companies and countries involved will contribute to rebuilding Gaza.
So far, donors include wealthy Gulf states, Egypt and Turkey.
The project has its supporters and skeptics. Some officials say it is unrealistic to expect Hamas to disarm, a necessary first step for the plan to move forward. They are also not convinced that rich countries can fully fund the project, even though more than half of the cost is expected to come from the United States. Critics argue that the only way to make the plan viable is for Hamas to “lay down its arms and turn the page on decades of conflict.”
The White House commented that President Trump is closely monitoring Gaza. “The Trump Administration continues to work diligently with our partners to maintain lasting peace and lay the foundations for a peaceful and prosperous Gaza,” the spokesperson said.
Once Hamas is disarmed, Project Sunrise will be able to proceed along its 20-year roadmap. This includes demolishing destroyed buildings, including Hamas tunnels, and providing temporary shelter, hospitals and other necessities to Gaza residents. Construction continues.
New Rafah, envisioned as Gaza's version of the White House, will be built. It could be home to more than 500,000 people and include more than 75 medical facilities and 180 mosques and cultural centers.
Mr. Kushner has already met with donor countries to discuss the plan. With a background in commercial real estate, he aims to build the biggest megacity ever once Project Sunrise gets underway.
