Reasons for Trump's plan to occupy Gaza and displace its population

Former US President Donald Trump’s announcement of his plan to seize the Gaza Strip, displace its residents and turn it into a tourist resort under the name “Riviera of the East” has sparked widespread controversy. Here are the most prominent real and hidden reasons that may be behind this proposal:

1. Pressuring the Palestinians and Arabs to accept unfair settlements:

This proposal is likely to be a political blackmail tool aimed at pressuring the Palestinians and Arabs to accept the annexation of the West Bank to Israel, in exchange for Gaza becoming the only area allocated to them. The plan may include transferring the West Bank residents to Jordan or bringing them into Gaza after expanding it by annexing parts of the Negev Desert or Sinai, which would undermine the two-state solution and reduce Arab expectations regarding the final solution.

Trump could also offer to halt the displacement in exchange for normalization with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, in an attempt to transform normalization from a “barter for a Palestinian state” to a “barter for halting the displacement.”

2. To shock the Arab world, to push countries to rebuild Gaza and expel Hamas:

This approach reflects Trump's business mentality, which relies on creating crises and then offering alternative solutions on his terms.

Trump seeks to force Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf states to engage actively in resolving the Palestinian crisis after avoiding taking decisive steps. This aims to transform the Palestinian issue from a “population” issue to a “housing” issue, with the Arab states bearing the cost of rebuilding Gaza, without any American or Israeli obligations. This proposal may also be part of a strategy to push Hamas out of Gaza by escalating the crisis, then offering solutions that are internationally acceptable.

3. Satisfying the Israeli far right:

The far right in Israel is promoting the idea of a “Greater Gaza” in which the population of the Strip would be displaced in exchange for expanding it to include lands from the Sinai, allowing Israel to have full control over the West Bank without significant international pressure.

4. Gaining the support of evangelicals and Zionist groups in America:

Evangelical Zionist groups in the United States play a major role in supporting Israel’s policies, and are one of Trump’s largest electoral bases. Many evangelicals believe that supporting Israel is a religious duty, and that the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza is part of “preparing for the coming of the Messiah.” So any step toward strengthening Israel, even if it involves displacing the indigenous population, will be widely welcomed in these circles.

5. Electoral motives: Giving back to his campaign’s major funders:

During his campaign, Trump received huge donations from prominent Jewish businessmen and women such as Sheldon and Miriam Adelson, who explicitly called for his support for Israel’s expansionist policies. During his first term, Trump implemented several key steps to advance this agenda, such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, and pressuring Iran. His plan for Gaza is part of this policy, especially after he previously hinted at annexing the West Bank.

6. The alternative canal project for the Suez Canal:

Israel has been considering for years the construction of a waterway linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean via the northern Gaza Strip, as a possible alternative to Egypt’s Suez Canal. The project could be part of a rivalry with China’s “Silk Road,” as the United States seeks to counter China’s global economic influence. If implemented, Gaza would become a focal point for international trade, giving Washington and Tel Aviv greater control over strategic trade routes.

7. Economic ambitions for Gaza’s wealth:

Gaza has vast natural gas reserves, with gas fields discovered in at least two areas off the coast of the Strip. The United States and Israel are seeking to control these resources, given the importance of gas as a strategic energy source in the region, especially with the increasing tensions in global energy markets.

8. Exploiting the destruction of Gaza as a pretext to put forward the plan:

Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff recently visited the Gaza Strip and came away with a very negative impression, saying that the widespread destruction had made Gaza “uninhabitable.” Witkoff relayed this image to Trump, which may have prompted him to present his controversial plan under the guise of “finding humanitarian solutions,” even though it actually serves the interests of Israel and the United States.

9. Distracting American citizens from his internal issues:

Trump has long used controversial international issues, such as China, Mexico, Panama, and Greenland, to distract the American public from his domestic crises. Given the political and legal pressures he faces at home, reviving the Gaza issue may be part of his strategy to divert attention to foreign issues and cement his image as a strong leader capable of managing global crises.

Finally, Trump’s plan to occupy Gaza and displace its population is not just a passing political statement, but rather part of a broader vision aimed at pressuring the Palestinians and Arabs, serving Israel’s interests, pleasing Jewish donors and the Christian Zionist right in America, while achieving economic gains. In addition, this proposal reflects a broader strategy to reshape the political landscape in the region, in a way that serves the American and Israeli agendas in the long term.