In an immensely controversial statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed that Israel should hand over Gaza to the United States under a wider plan to end the two decades of ongoing turmoil in the region. According to Trump, no “military action” would be needed as the U.S. itself would drive the redevelopment and governance of the strategic Gaza strip. The proposal, which has received mixed reactions, is to give a new face to peace and stability in a region that has been bedeviled by decades of violence.
According to Trump’s plan, the U.S. will be responsible for the governance and rebuilding of Gaza, with concentration on infrastructure reconstruction, humanitarian assistance, and creation of economic growth. He highlighted that Israel troops would not be part of the reconstruction process and governance in the region afterward, implying a more objective approach toward the future of that region. The former president described it as an opportunity to end the historical stalemate between Israel and Palestine.
The idea of having the United States control Gaza over Israel has led to sharp and severe criticism between both sides within the Israeli-Palestinian division and the entire international community, as critics believed that such action would increase turmoil in the country and complicate the already violent peace process, but Trump told the public otherwise, saying his plan would “create opportunities” for lasting peace and prosperity.
Though it is hypothetical, Trump’s idea shows his ways of handling foreign policy are quite unusual and an emphasis on doing things directly, with the United States. To tackle issues in this world, a U.S.-controlled solution to Gaza remains a contentious as well as splitting issue. Though there’s no true consensus regarding its feasibility or effectiveness.
