A proposal for an economic future: Gaza needs more than reconstruction - opinion

Israeli lawyer Shraga Biran proposes a homeownership-based economic plan for Gaza's reconstruction, involving 400,000 residential units, mortgages up to 40 years, and industrial development. He argues that ownership creates stability and economic independence, moving beyond aid dependency. The plan includes international financing and has been presented to Palestinian officials.

In an opinion piece for The Jerusalem Post, Israeli lawyer and entrepreneur Shraga Biran outlines a comprehensive economic plan for Gaza's post-war reconstruction, arguing that rebuilding must go beyond physical infrastructure to create a self-sustaining economy. Biran, who has spent over three years developing the concept through the Institute for Structural Reforms, proposes approximately 400,000 residential units in high-rise buildings, primarily for refugee camp residents and those whose homes were destroyed. Construction costs are estimated at $60,000–$100,000 per unit, with families financing their homes through long-term mortgages of up to 40 years, using allocated land as equity. This approach, he argues, transforms housing from public shelters into assets that provide financial security and access to credit, fostering a stake in societal stability. Beyond housing, the plan includes industrial zones, transportation, energy, and commercial centers, as well as leveraging Gaza's 40-kilometer coastline for tourism. Biran discusses modern modular construction technologies and a financing structure involving an international banking consortium, potentially supported by the World Bank and MIGA. He acknowledges that security, governance, and rule of law are prerequisites but insists that economic development and security are not competing priorities. The proposal has been presented to Palestinian officials and has generated interest, with discussions ongoing with international institutions. Biran, an Israeli, emphasizes the need to think beyond the immediate conflict and envision a different future for Gaza.