Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner on Thursday laid out an ambitious U.S.-backed plan to rebuild Gaza, tying reconstruction to the full demilitarization of Hamas and unveiling what he called a phased “master plan” that would begin in Rafah and move northward across the Strip.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of President Donald Trump’s newly launched Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum, Kushner said the next phase following the ceasefire would focus on governance, security and economic redevelopment, insisting there was “no plan B.”
Kushner presents US plan for 'new Gaza': amnesty to terrorists who surrender, 'free market' principles
(Video: The White House)
“We signed an agreement. We are all committed to making that agreement work,” Kushner said. “Without demilitarization, we can’t rebuild.”
Under the plan, Gaza would be divided into zones, with reconstruction beginning only in areas where weapons are fully removed. According to slides presented by Kushner, Hamas’s heavy weapons would be decommissioned immediately, while small arms would be collected sector by sector by a newly formed Palestinian police force. Only once disarmament is verified would rebuilding begin in each zone.
Some Hamas members would be offered amnesty and reintegration or safe passage, the plan says. Others could be integrated into the new Palestinian police force, subject to what Kushner described as rigorous Israeli and U.S. security vetting. Once demilitarization is completed, Israeli forces would withdraw to a security perimeter surrounding Gaza.
Kushner said the first 100 days would focus on humanitarian aid, shelter and clearing rubble, noting that demolition work had already begun. He said Gaza had absorbed massive destruction during the war, but argued it also held “amazing potential” if rebuilt with proper governance and security.
The master plan envisions a rebuilt Gaza featuring workforce housing, industrial zones, a seaport and an airport, with Kushner predicting full employment within several years if the plan succeeds. He said development would follow free-market principles similar to those President Trump is promoting in the United States.
“We want to bring an entrepreneurial mindset to Gaza so people there can thrive,” Kushner said. “Everyone wants to live peacefully. Everyone wants to live with dignity.”
He said an international investment conference focused on Gaza would be held in Washington in the coming weeks, with private-sector funding expected to play a major role. Kushner acknowledged that investing in Gaza carried risks but urged governments and businesses to “take faith” and support the effort.
The plan relies on cooperation among Israel, Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Kushner said, urging critics to lower tensions. “Just calm down for 30 days,” he said. “The war is over. Let’s work together.”
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff also addressed the ceremony, thanking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer and Israel’s current Gaza envoy Michael Eisenberg, as well as Qatari, Turkish and Egyptian mediators. He said the ceasefire had returned all but one Israeli hostage and expressed confidence that the final case would be resolved.
Earlier in the ceremony, Dr. Ali Shaath, chief commissioner of the newly formed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, said the Rafah crossing would reopen in both directions next week. Israeli officials pushed back, saying the crossing would not reopen until the body of hostage Ran Gvili is returned. A senior political source later said special efforts were underway to recover Gvili, and that Israel’s Cabinet would discuss both the Rafah crossing and the issue of the final hostage at the start of next week.
President Trump, who chairs the Board of Peace, reiterated that Gaza must be demilitarized and rebuilt under responsible governance. “We’re committed to ensuring Gaza is demilitarized and rebuilt properly,” he said.
The Board of Peace, initially focused on Gaza, is intended to serve as a broader platform for implementing post-conflict reconstruction and governance models, according to U.S. officials.
First published: 13:12, 01.22.26