ceived less attention is the group of advisers and external actors who helped shape the plan and the political and financial logic underpinning it. • Kushner’s Central Role At the centre of the initiative is Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser, who led much of the administration’s Middle East diplomacy, including efforts that culminated in the 2020 Abraham Accords. Kushner, who has no formal diplomatic background , comes from real estate and finance and has maintained close ties with Gulf investors, including sovereign wealth funds linked to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, according to public records. In public forums, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, Kushner has outlined a large-scale reconstruction vision for Gaza, valued at roughly $30 billion, focusing on ports, infrastructure and new urban developments aimed at attracting private capital. Critics say the emphasis reflects a commercial development model rather than a political settlement rooted in Palestinian self-determination. • Business Influence and Israeli Interests Reports have also pointed to the involvement of Yakir Gabay, an Israeli billionaire with international real estate holdings, reinforcing perceptions that Israeli economic and corporate interests are embedded in the framework. Supporters argue that private sector involvement is essential given the scale of Gaza’s destruction and the limited capacity of international donors. Detractors counter that profit-driven reconstruction risks marginalising Palestinian political agency. • A Hybrid Oversight Structure The proposed governance mechanism for Gaza’s postwar transition would bring together figures from international finance, diplomacy and policy circles, including current and former officials from the World Bank, the United Nations and Western governments. Analysts say this hybrid model reflects Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy in which economic incentives and investment structures play a central role in resolving political conflicts. • Questions of Sovereignty and Accountability The framework raises unresolved questions about governance, legitimacy and long-term stability. Palestinian leaders have expressed concern that reconstruction could proceed without meaningful political guarantees, while critics warn that economic growth alone cannot substitute for a durable political settlement. Trump has consistently framed the plan as pragmatic and results oriented. Opponents argue that without addressing core issues including borders, political representation and sovereignty reconstruction risks entrenching existing power imbalances. • A Deal-Driven Vision of Peace Trump’s Gaza proposal reflects the influence of family advisers, wealthy investors and Western policy elites, according to analysts. While its architects argue that economic development can lay the groundwork for peace, critics caution that treating Gaza primarily as an investment opportunity may undermine prospects for lasting stability. Whether the plan can translate capital into political legitimacy remains uncertain. Sources: • WTOP •The Guardian •TIME •Al Jazeera •The Global Observatory