Gaza Strip: The ‘Don’s’ dangerous move

POTUS Donald Trump seems to have shown his true colours. He has removed the camouflage from his dangerous and hidden agenda of rebuilding the Gaza Strip. On January 20, 2025 when he took the pledge to rule America for the next four years, world leaders were both worried and relieved. Worried over his tariff threats and his desire to end two wars - one in Gaza and the other in Ukraine. True there is a lull on the battlefields at at least one place. But in Gaza, the Don is also proving to be a dangerous leader with a hawk’s eye.

It appears that he is a ‘Realty Don’, a businessman to the core first and the President of the United States of America next! During a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump outlined his vision for the Gaza Strip. He stated that the US would “take over the Gaza Strip” and “own it,” with the goal of transforming it into a luxurious destination, akin to the “Riviera of the Middle East”. Trump emphasised that the Palestinians in Gaza “should not go through a process of rebuilding” and suggested they be permanently resettled elsewhere in “nice homes”. It is also reported that what he actually meant was resettlement was temporary, but there no confirmation about the real intentions. He also mentioned that the US would be responsible for dismantling unexploded bombs and other weapons, levelling the area, and pushing economic development to provide jobs and housing. Trump added that he believes this plan could bring stability to the region and create a model for the entire West Asia (Middle East).

His plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip and transform it into a luxurious destination is certainly ambitious and provocative. While the idea of creating a “Riviera of the Middle East” might seem appealing from an economic and infrastructural standpoint, there are three significant concerns. Firstly, forcibly relocating the Palestinian population raises serious ethical and legal questions. It could be seen as a form of ethnic cleansing, violating international law and human rights. Secondly, the relocation of thousands of people would undoubtedly lead to humanitarian challenges, including the need for adequate housing, healthcare, and support for the displaced population.

Lastly, such a move could further destabilise the region, exacerbate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, and strain relationships with key US allies in the Middle East. So, this proposal by Trump is certainly one of his most controversial and ambitious ideas yet. The plan also seems to contradict decades of US policy supporting a two-state solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Also, the proposal has faced strong opposition from various quarters. Critics argue that forcibly relocating the Palestinian population could amount to ethnic cleansing and violate international law. Arab leaders have expressed concerns that the plan could lead to more instability and fuel future conflicts. It can be easily said that the Trump’s vision, reminiscent of his career as a real estate developer, has been met with scepticism and condemnation.

But has the don uncovered the mask fully or is there any more hidden agenda underneath? It’s a billiondollar question. Why? Because one should not forget about the waters off the coast of Gaza. It is believed that the waters contain reserves of up to 2 billion barrels of oil. It is possible that the US along with Israel will not let the Palestinians explore and exploit the oil in Gaza’s territorial waters. It is also suspected that Trump’s agenda could be to enable ExxonMobil to explore and produce oil and gas off the Gaza waters. It appears that Trump has not fully removed the camouflage. Picture Abhi Baqi Hai!