US to hold real estate developers' summit for controversial Gaza project

The United States, despite facing criticism from Europe and Middle East, is planning a real estate developer summit to discuss the future of Gaza.

According to Bloomberg, a meeting was recently organised by the American Jewish Committee, in which the US envoy Steve Witkoff told attendees that the US will soon hold a summit with real estate developers to discuss Gaza’s future. 

“We’re going to conduct a summit pretty soon with probably the biggest developers in the Middle East region, many of the Arab developers – lots of master planners,” Witkoff said. 

“I think when people see some of the ideas that come from this, they’re going to be amazed,” he added

Read: “Civilisation has been wiped out in Gaza:” Trump insists on transfer of Palestinians

The statement came after Trump proposed a plan to take over Gaza and turn it into a beach resort after forcibly displacing the land owners of Palestine. The plan sparked widespread condemnation and critics described it as “ethnic cleansing”.

The envoy stated that the US was not forcing “eviction” of Palestinians, but they would have to move because it was impractical for them to stay over here for over 10 to 15 years, as it would take time to rebuild the coastal enclave. 

“There are many countries, by the way, out there, that from a humanitarian standpoint, we’ve spoken to many of them, are actually extending themselves and saying, hey, look, we, would love to be a part of some sort of permanent solution for the Gaza people,” he added.

Despite international backlash, US President Donald Trump had reiterated his controversial plan to take over Gaza, stating that the United States, in collaboration with Middle Eastern countries, will transform the enclave into a "big real estate site."

Read: Trump warns of canceling Gaza truce if Hamas does not release hostages by Saturday

He had emphasised that the US is "committed to buying and owning Gaza," asserting that the enclave must be redeveloped as its buildings and infrastructure have been destroyed and are no longer inhabitable.

Trump further claimed that US control of Gaza would ensure that Hamas "will not return to the enclave." He also suggested that displaced Palestinians, once relocated to neighbouring countries with better living conditions, would have little desire to return.