Israeli analyst: Trump’s Gaza plan too soft on ethnic cleansing of Palestinians

An Israeli economic analyst has criticised US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza plan, saying it would not achieve what many in Israel expect and warning it places an undue burden on Israel’s military.

Eyal Ofer, known in Israeli media for his commentary on Hamas’s finances, told The Jerusalem Post that Trump’s reconstruction plan amounted to “castles in the air” and would ultimately fail.

The plan, drafted by Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, envisions around 25% of Gaza’s population leaving temporarily, with a right of return once rebuilding is completed. The remaining 75% would be kept in secured areas for up to a decade while new housing is constructed. Families would eventually be offered apartments in high-rise towers.

Ofer argued the scheme underestimated the logistical and security challenges, warning Israel’s army would be left responsible for protecting demolition and reconstruction projects, requiring “tens of thousands of soldiers for many years.” He said Hamas fighters would continue to resist, describing it as a recipe for ongoing conflict.

Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the proposals as a potential case of forced population transfer and ethnic cleansing, prohibited under international law. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also criticised the plan as a grave breach of international law.

The war in Gaza has already left much of the territory in ruins. According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 63,000 people have been killed since Israel began its offensive, the majority of them civilians.

Trump’s plan has yet to gain international backing, and questions remain about whether it could be implemented on the ground.