The world is watching. And it is not impressed. United States President Donald Trump plans another ‘Nakba’. He has expressed his desire to “take over” and “own” Gaza “after the war”, as if it is his to claim. He dreams of a new state and a bold American expansion without taking into account the ground realities.
Trump has already shared parts of his plans, suggesting relocation of Palestinians to nearby countries that have “great wealth”. During a joint presser with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, he candidly said that Gaza is a “symbol of death and destruction”, which would be turned into an economic hub for the “people of the area”.
Although the plan is ambitious, it is impractical, unless the US wants to be entangled in another prolonged conflict. The United Nations has already called it a dangerous plan. On the other hand, Arab nations see the move as a red line being crossed. Moreover, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan have all rejected the plan, while Europe does not stand behind Trump either. Even America’s closest allies have refused to endorse this vision.
To begin with, global laws do not allow such a takeover, nor do they bend for such personal ambitions. The Palestinians have already made it clear that they would not leave their land. Hamas has called it an invasion and vowed to resist any move to displace the local population. Lebanese Hezbollah has declared the plan “criminal”, which implies that it will actively take part in the ensuing war. Moreover, the immediate reaction from Iran and other Arab nations would be overwhelming.
The fight would be brutal, relentless, endless. And if American troops enter, they will face the worst kind of war. What begins in Gaza could spread far beyond. US embassies will be stormed, American interests set ablaze. The economic cost would be unimaginable, as Gaza is no Afghanistan.
What the US administration fails to understand is that Gaza is not an empty land waiting for a flag. It has been, and still is, a battlefield, waiting to erupt. The Israel-Gaza conflict is one of the longest-running and perhaps the most violent disputes the world has ever seen. The region is on fire, and a move like this would pour fuel over it. Taking Gaza comes at a cost, and that cost might be too high, even for Israel.
One thing is certain: Trump’s dream of owning Gaza is his alone. The world will not follow. His throne is waiting. But the thorns are sharp. And they cut deep.
