U.S. Plans Compounds to House Palestinians in Israeli-Held Half of Gaza
Authors: David M. Halbfinger, Adam Rasgon, Natan Odenheimer, Aaron Boxerman
Publication: The New York Times
Date: November 25, 2025
Summary:
The Trump administration is pushing for construction of residential compounds called "Alternative Safe Communities" in Israeli-controlled eastern Gaza, each housing 20,000-25,000 people with medical clinics and schools.
Aryeh Lightstone, a senior Trump official reporting to Jared Kushner, leads the effort from Tel Aviv. The first compound in Rafah may not be ready for several months, with costs running into tens of millions. The project raises concerns about entrenching Gaza's partition into Israeli-controlled and Hamas-controlled zones. Major complications include security arrangements, movement restrictions, Israeli vetting that could blacklist public-sector workers, and property rights. European diplomats warn early schematics—showing homes surrounded by patrol roads, fences, cameras and military outposts—resemble internment camps. Even 10 compounds would house only a fraction of Gaza's 2 million residents.Quotes:
"There's a practical issue: How do we get people into safe housing as soon as humanly possible? This is the easiest way to do that." — Aryeh Lightstone, senior Trump administration official
"The people in Gaza are not pieces of furniture that you move from one place to another. They have emotions and attachments. They want to be as close as they can to their destroyed homes." — Ayed Abu Ramadan, chairman of Gaza Governorate Chamber of Commerce
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