Trump’s Gaza Gambit: Imperial Vision or Legal Violation?

Will Trump’s Gaza plan, if it gets implemented, put America at risk of sanctions?  His proposal to “own” Gaza and relocate its people has already sparked global outrage. Adding fuel to the fire, his AI-generated video glorifying a futuristic “Trump Gaza” has stirred a political firestorm. Is this a vision for redevelopment, or a dangerous mix of authoritarianism and propaganda? Let’s explore to determine whether the trump plan is Trumperialism.

Trump suggested the United States should “take over” and “own” Gaza, proposing long-term control after the conflict. He remarked to Netanyahu at the White House on February 4. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel’s recently paused war with Hamas—stood beside Trump during the announcement. Netanyahu didn’t unequivocally approve the proposal at first, but said it was “revolutionary and creative” and “could change history.” Netanyahu later said Israel was “committed to US President Trump’s plan for the creation of a different Gaza.”

Since Trump’s announcement, his administration has sent mixed signals. On February 5, the White House called Palestinian displacement “temporary”. However, in a February 10, Fox News interview, Trump appeared to contradict this, stating that Palestinians would not return to Gaza because “they’re going to have much better housing… a permanent place for them. In just a few sentences, he obliterated any remaining Palestinian hopes for a two-state solution in Israel. Trump suggested flattening what remains of the Palestinian settlement after 15 months of total war and forcing nearly 2 million people out of Gaza to make way for a US-controlled “Riviera of the Middle East”.

On February 26, President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated music video on his Truth Social page, depicting a futuristic, glitzy “Trump Gaza” development after forcibly evicting Gaza’s 2.2 million residents. The bizarre clip features golden Trump statues, bearded belly dancers, and Trump himself dancing and lounging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, all set to an upbeat song celebrating the imagined transformation. It’s here that “Trumperialism” comes to the forefront. He sees Gaza not as a problem of war and people displacement, but as an opportunity for American business to build wealth – the classic US economic hegemony of the populist America First political theory.

The clip has drawn condemnation from social media users. According to Newsweek, the majority of comments on Facebook were negative. Many responded to the post with anger and argued that the Palestinians would not leave their land in Gaza. These reactions are largely in line with the comments of Arab leaders when Trump announced his Gaza plan a few weeks ago. The West Bank-based Palestinian Authority had argued that the US President’s idea was a “serious violation of international law.”

Nonetheless, Trump’s middle east envoy Steve Witkoff termed Trump Gaza plan as not focused on a two-state solution but rather on “how you get to a better life” for Palestinians through education, career opportunities, and economic growth. While acknowledging that “maybe we should be talking about the ability to come back later on,” he maintained that “right here, right now, Gaza is a long-term redevelopment plan.”

Trump’s vision for Gaza is much more akin to the post-2011 rebuilding of Iraq than, say, the European economic recovery after the Second World War. There’s no sign of any Marshall Plan for Gaza and, while US private funding may flood in to build beachfront condos and gated playgrounds for the wealthy, it seems Trump expects Israel’s neighbours to pay for the exodus of the Palestinian people and their settlement on foreign soil.

As ever, there is no nuance in Trump’s thinking. It is purely transactional the US benefits and Trump himself – as the peacemaker benefits the most. So, his vision for Gaza can certainly be seen as putting America First. But Trump’s Gaza proposal will chill many Americans, much as it has drawn scorn and disbelief from around the world. Trump does not like war. He is equivocal in his support for Ukraine and has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the US from NATO. He believes that every problem can be solved by making a deal. Nonetheless, the Trump plan for Gaza may mean thousands of American combat troops deployed to Gaza for years at daily risk of death. How do Main Street Americans benefit from that?

Also See: Hamas Official Welcomes Trump’s Apparent Retreat On Call To Displace Gazans

The point to ponder over is what exactly is Trump’s Gaza plan? 

Trump’s plan involves relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan while the U.S. leads Gaza’s reconstruction. He claims this would ensure stability, but both countries reject it, warning of regional destabilization and forced displacement. Moreover, Trump’s remarks come as Israel and Hamas prepare to negotiate the next phase of the ceasefire, and there is concern that Trump’s proposal risks complicating these delicate talks. This phase is expected to include the release of the rest of the remaining hostages, dead or alive, and a possible complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. 

Did Trump’s Gaza Plan have any positive appraisal from Arab countries? 

President Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to assume control over the Gaza Strip and relocate its Palestinian population has been met with widespread condemnation across the Middle East, including from key Arab allies. Egypt and Jordan have firmly rejected the plan, emphasizing that it could lead to regional instability and violate international norms. The Arab League has also denounced the proposal, warning that it could exacerbate tensions and undermine efforts toward a two-state solution.

What is the response from the American Jewish Committee (AJC)?

AJC welcomed President Trump’s unreserved reaffirmation, in the White House press conference following his meeting on February 4 with Prime Minister Netanyahu, of U.S. support for Israel’s security, the release of all hostages held captive by terrorists in Gaza, an end to the Iranian regime’s support for terror and its dangerous quest for nuclear weapons capability, and Israel’s full integration in a peaceful and prosperous Middle East.

“At the same time, the President’s surprising, concerning, and confusing comments on an American plan to ‘take control’ and ‘own’ Gaza and the relocation of its population raise questions – first among them the impact of the President’s announcement on the ongoing hostage-release agreement. The release of all remaining hostages, and the agreement’s ultimate fulfilment of the objective to rid Gaza of Hamas rule, must remain U.S. and Israeli priorities,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch.

Will Trump Gaza plan sow chaos?

At this stage, Trump’s proposal isn’t any kind of fully fledged plan. But his pronouncements still sow chaos. Already there’s massive fear among the Palestinian people. It’s clear that Trump sides firmly with the state of Israel and has no time for the Palestinian cause. It is already emboldening far-right nationalists in Netanyahu’s government to call for the Israeli military to finish the extermination of Hamas. Itamar Ben Gvir, who was until recently a member of Netanyahu’s cabinet, said in a post on X that “encouraging” Gazans to migrate was the only correct strategy to end the war in Gaza. If fundamentalists such as Ben Gvir gain the upper hand again, the fragile peace in Gaza will disappear.

Trump’s vision of transforming Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East,” in coordination with Israel, aligns with policies deemed unlawful by the ICJ. His remarks, envisioning palm trees and golf courses under U.S. control, notably exclude most Palestinians. Such a plan reflects a crude imposition of U.S. economic and military dominance, one that is unlikely to bring lasting peace and more likely to fuel further conflict in Gaza and the broader region. 

President Trump’s proposal to depopulate Gaza and redevelop it under U.S. control has been widely condemned as unworkable and contrary to international law. The international community, particularly Arab nations, advocates for reconstruction efforts that respect Palestinian rights and maintain regional stability. In a nutshell, Trump’s Gaza plan is seemingly based on American interests and it showcases the business mindset of Trump instead of a peace-making effort. Any such plan that does not represent the will of the Gaza people is most likely to fail. Moreover, it will also incur criticism from all over the world.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the South Asia Times.