You've probably seen the headlines or the clips from Fox News. It sounds like something straight out of a 1980s Atlantic City board meeting, but it's 2026, and Donald Trump’s proposal to essentially "buy and own" Gaza is the centerpiece of a massive, $112 billion diplomatic gamble. He isn't just talking about a peace treaty; he’s talking about a "real estate development for the future."
Honestly, the sheer scale of the idea is enough to make anyone’s head spin.
Back in February 2025, while standing next to Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump first floated the idea of the U.S. taking over the Gaza Strip. He didn't mince words. He called it a "demolition site" and famously suggested it could become the "Riviera of the Middle East." But as we sit here in early 2026, the reality on the ground is a messy mix of high-concept PowerPoint decks and a ceasefire that feels like it’s held together by Scotch tape.
The Real Estate Pitch: Project Sunrise Explained
The core of the "Trump wants to buy Gaza" narrative isn't actually about a literal purchase like he tried with Greenland. It’s a rebranding of reconstruction under U.S. "ownership" or oversight. The administration’s formal plan, nicknamed Project Sunrise, envisions turning a war-torn enclave into a high-tech coastal metropolis.
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We’re talking luxury resorts, AI-powered infrastructure, and high-speed rail. Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, has been the primary architect of this vision. He’s been vocal—kinda controversially—about the "very valuable" nature of Gaza’s waterfront property. In his view, the site’s potential is being wasted on tunnels and munitions.
What’s actually in the 32-page deck?
- Phased Rebuilding: It starts with the Herculean task of clearing 50 million tonnes of debris. To put that in perspective, some experts say that could take 20 years.
- The Financial Anchor: The U.S. would commit roughly $60 billion in grants and loan guarantees, hoping to entice Gulf kingdoms and private investors to cover the rest.
- The "Board of Peace": A proposed governing body led by Trump himself to supervise a new technocratic Palestinian government.
The "No Right of Return" Bombshell
This is where things get really complicated. In an interview with Bret Baier, Trump was asked point-blank if Palestinians would have a right to return to the newly developed "Riviera." His answer? "No, they wouldn't."
He argued that the area isn't habitable and that he’d rather build "safe communities" for them elsewhere—specifically mentioning deals with Egypt or Jordan. This part of the plan has drawn the most fire. Critics, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have used words like "ethnic cleansing" to describe the permanent relocation of 2 million people.
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Even within his own cabinet, there’s been some frantic backpedaling. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others have tried to frame the relocation as "temporary" or "interim," but Trump’s own words have consistently leaned toward a permanent real estate reset.
Where Does the Plan Stand in 2026?
Right now, Gaza is in a strange limbo. Hamas has technically agreed to dissolve its government in favor of the Trump-backed technocratic committee, but there’s no firm timeline. The ceasefire is technically holding, but it’s fragile.
Israel’s government is under immense pressure from its own right-wing ministers who aren't interested in a "Riviera"—they want to annex the land. Meanwhile, the U.S. military has been named the nominal commander of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), though Trump has been adamant: no American boots on the ground.
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The Hurdles Nobody Can Ignore
- The Debris Problem: You can't build a resort on top of unexploded ordnance and 50 million tonnes of concrete.
- Arab Opposition: Egypt and Jordan have been crystal clear—they aren't interested in being the permanent landing spot for millions of displaced Gazans.
- Legal Quagmire: International law generally frowns upon seizing territory and forcibly moving populations.
Is Gaza Actually Becoming a "Freedom Zone"?
Trump has started using the term "Freedom Zone" during his visits to the region, particularly in Qatar. It’s part of a broader "pivot" he wants to make—shifting the Middle East from a security-first mindset to an economic integration model. The idea is to bake Gaza into a regional economy alongside Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
But for Saraj al-Najjar, a carpenter in Gaza City, the "Riviera" feels a world away. For people actually living there, the focus isn't on luxury hotels; it's on the fact that they can finally eat at a local eatery without a blockade, even if they’re still "scared of everything."
Practical Next Steps for Following This Story
If you’re trying to keep track of whether the "Trump wants to buy Gaza" plan is actually moving forward, there are a few key indicators to watch in the coming months:
- Watch the ISF Deployment: If Arab nations actually commit troops to the International Stabilization Force, it’s a sign they’ve made a backroom deal with the Trump administration. Without those troops, the plan stays on paper.
- Monitor "Project Sunrise" Funding: Keep an eye on the U.S. Congress. If the $60 billion in grants and loan guarantees doesn't get approved, the real estate dream dies pretty quickly.
- The "Technocratic Committee" Transition: Look for news on when Hamas officially hands over the keys to the new governing body. This is the "make or break" moment for the political side of the plan.
- Track Regional Real Estate News: It sounds weird, but watching for private development announcements from firms in the UAE or Saudi Arabia will tell you if the "Riviera" is being taken seriously by people with actual money.
The situation is essentially a high-stakes poker game where the chips are land, lives, and billions of dollars in potential beachfront property. Whether it’s a brilliant "out-of-the-box" peace plan or a "morally bankrupt" real estate pitch depends entirely on who you ask—and where they expect to be living when the dust finally settles.