Trump's Gaza Plan: A Blockchain-Based Post-War Initiative for Land Tokenization and Mega Cities

The Trump administration is exploring a post-war plan for Gaza that involves land tokenization and blockchain technology. The plan, called the Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust (GREAT Trust), aims to rebuild Gaza through digital finance and infrastructure. It proposes to give each displaced resident digital tokens in place of their land, which can be redeemed for housing or traded on cryptocurrency exchanges. The plan has received both praise and criticism, with some seeing it as a chance for Gazans to rebuild and prosper, while others view it as a violation of human rights.

The Trump administration is exploring a post-war reconstruction plan for Gaza, titled the Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust (GREAT Trust). This initiative aims to rebuild Gaza through digital finance and infrastructure, leveraging blockchain technology and land tokenization. The plan proposes to give each displaced resident digital tokens in place of their land, which can be redeemed for housing or traded on cryptocurrency exchanges.

The core mechanism of the GREAT Trust involves tokenizing land to enhance liquidity and create a blockchain-based registry. Under the proposal, land would be divided into fractional digital tokens, enabling investors to purchase and trade them on secondary markets. These tokens would be managed through smart contracts, ensuring transparent and immutable record-keeping. Gazan landowners would trade their land for tokens, which could be redeemed for cash, housing, or other benefits. The scheme could generate significant returns, with potential reinvestment into a future Palestinian Wealth Fund [1].

The economic model hinges on the displacement of residents as a cost-saving measure. Relocating Gazans is estimated to cost $23,000 per person less than providing in-situ support. Each displaced individual would receive $5,000, along with four years of rent subsidies and food assistance for one year. The potential for profit in the plan increases with the number of displaced persons, raising ethical and legal concerns [1].

Governance under the proposed framework is structured in three phases. Initially, the territory would be managed by an Israel-led administration overseeing “humanitarian zones.” In the second phase, a multilateral trust, managed by the US and “friendly” Arab states, would take over. The final phase would see a transition to a “de-radicalized” Palestinian entity, but only under the condition that it signs the Abraham Accords. This approach has raised concerns over its lack of democratic structure, with governance decisions centralized under a trust rather than through direct Palestinian participation [1].

The plan includes the development of six to eight AI-powered “smart cities” where digital systems would manage services and economic activity. Additional “mega-projects” include infrastructure developments such as ports, highways, railways, AI data centers, and a “Smart Manufacturing Zone,” echoing trends seen in tech-driven urban planning in the Gulf region [1].

The proposal has faced immediate backlash, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations labeling it a potential war crime under international law. Critics argue that the plan represents a form of “katastrophenkapitalismus,” wherein post-conflict reconstruction is repurposed for profit, with human suffering commodified and governance outsourced to a technologically advanced, yet ethically ambiguous, framework [1]. The Washington Post reported that the proposal was developed by individuals involved in the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and financial strategists from Boston Consulting Group [1].

The plan aligns with broader efforts by Trump and his allies to deepen ties with the cryptocurrency sector. The tokenization of land and the use of blockchain for governance represent a novel, yet controversial, approach to post-war reconstruction that could redefine the role of digital assets in international development and conflict resolution [1].

References:
[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/trump-gaza-plan-blockchain-driven-colonial-future-2509/
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trumps-gaza-plan-includes-crypto-203735461.html