US President Donald Trump has reiterated his administration’s intent to “take over” the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to taking control of the Gaza Strip.
“I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it. Other people may do it through our auspices. But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back. There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished,” the US President told reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to the Super Bowl.
Driving the news
On the face of it, the US President’s proposal appears not as a geopolitical strategy but as a real estate gambit, with Trump himself calling for turning Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, previously championed the idea of developing Gaza’s waterfront into a luxury destination, adding credibility to speculation that Trump’s vision for Gaza is more about real estate than politics.
President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser, Jared Kushner, once described the Arab-Israeli conflict as “nothing more than a real estate dispute” and talked about the potential beauty of the Gaza Strip’s Mediterranean waterfront.
An article in the Washington Post
However, an overlooked yet critical factor behind this decision could be energy. Both Israel and Gaza sit on massive offshore reserves that could be game-changers for global energy markets. With Europe scrambling to replace Russian gas, Trump sees a once-in-a-generation opportunity to position the US and its allies as dominant energy suppliers. If the plan succeeds, it could permanently weaken Russia’s grip on Europe’s energy supply, a report in Resource Wars claimed.
Why it matters
- Energy politics at play
- Gaza’s gas fields, known as the Gaza Marine reserves, have remained undeveloped for decades due to political instability. However, recent moves indicate growing interest in their potential:
- Hamas, prior to its October 7 attack, agreed to a US-brokered deal in mid-2023 to allow gas exploration off Gaza’s coast, signaling a shift in energy politics.
- Just three months later, Israel controversially granted exploration rights to Italian firm Eni, UK-based Dana Energy, and Israeli company Ratio Petroleum—all within Palestinian maritime boundaries.
- On February 4, Azerbaijan’s SOCAR acquired a 10% stake in Israel’s Tamar gas field. Did they know about Trump’s Gaza announcement in advance?
- If Trump follows through on his takeover, these developments could accelerate, fast-tracking Gaza’s entry into the global energy market, the Resource Wars report said.
- Europe’s desperate need for gas
- Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe has been on a mission to cut its reliance on Russian energy. The EU has imposed heavy sanctions on Russian gas, but finding alternative sources has been challenging.
- Israel’s gas exports to Europe have increased, but they alone cannot replace Russian supply.
- Qatar is looking to expand its LNG (liquefied natural gas) exports to Europe, but pipeline routes remain a major hurdle.
- Libya, another key player, is in the midst of a political and economic reset, with hopes of re-entering the global energy market.
- If the US secures control over Gaza’s gas fields and facilitates new pipelines, it could cement a new energy alliance that marginalizes Russia for decades.
- The race to control Middle Eastern pipelines
- Major regional energy projects could see new life in this evolving landscape: Qatar-Turkey Pipeline: A revival in sight? Originally proposed in 2009, the Qatar-Turkey pipeline was meant to transport gas through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria before reaching Europe.
- Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad blocked the project, favoring a Russian-backed pipeline instead. Now, with Assad out of power, Turkey’s energy minister has hinted at reviving the plan.
- Trump’s takeover of Gaza could be the missing link that gets this pipeline back on track.
- Iran’s Persian pipeline: Dead in the water?
- Iran has long planned a gas pipeline to Europe via Iraq and Syria, but Western sanctions and Syria’s instability stalled progress. With Iran facing increasing isolation, the project seems unlikely to materialize. This further strengthens the case for alternative gas sources—like Gaza and Israel’s reserves.
- Libya’s resurgence in the energy game
- Libya, home to some of the world’s largest oil and gas reserves, has been in crisis since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. But signs of change are emerging:
- A major oil conference in Tripoli two weeks ago brought American and European investors back to the table.
- Libya’s minister of economy and trade just announced plans for a reconstruction conference aimed at reviving the energy sector.
- With the world shifting away from Russian gas, Libya is seizing the moment. The question is: Will Trump’s move in Gaza make Libya a key energy player once again?
Trump’s Gaza decision: The strategy behind it
Trump’s proposed relocation of Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt isn’t just about security—it’s about unlocking Gaza’s energy potential. Here’s how it could work:
1. Removing a political obstacle
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long blocked energy development in Gaza. By eliminating Hamas and resettling Palestinians elsewhere, Trump is removing a major hurdle to economic progress.
2. Arab states support the plan—privately
While Arab leaders publicly oppose the move, many quietly back a crackdown on Hamas. Several have signaled to the US that eliminating Hamas would bring long-term stability—and economic opportunity.
3. Fast-tracking gas development
With US and Israeli backing, Gaza’s gas fields could be developed without the constant threat of terrorism or political sabotage. This means: Pipelines can be built quickly.
Western energy firms will invest without fear of conflict disrupting operations.
4. Economic incentives for Jordan and Egypt
Offering transit fees and energy deals could make Palestinian relocation more acceptable.
Massive infrastructure projects could provide jobs in both Jordan and Egypt, reducing unrest and boosting local economies.
5. Rebuilding Gaza without US taxpayer money
Bloomberg estimates Gaza’s reconstruction will cost $80+ billion.
Trump is adamant that US taxpayers won’t foot the bill.
The obvious funding source? Natural gas revenue.
I don’t think people should be going back to Gaza. I think that Gaza has been very unlucky for them. “They’ve lived like hell. They lived like you’re living in hell. Gaza is not a place for people to be living, and the only reason they want to go back, and I believe this strongly, is because they have no alternative
Donald Trump
Between the lines: The global implications
- If Trump pulls this off, the consequences could reshape global politics:
- Russia loses its energy hold on Europe
- Middle East normalization accelerates (Could this lead to Saudi-Israel relations?)
- China and Iran’s influence Shrinks in the region
- This move could cement US energy dominance for decades.
What’s next?
The world is watching to see whether Trump can execute what could be one of the most complex foreign policy maneuvers in US history.
Will Jordan and Egypt agree to Palestinian relocation?
How will Russia respond to losing its European gas dominance?
Will Israel and Saudi Arabia strike a historic deal?
The Middle East desperately needs new thinking, yet by blurting out a proposal that is impractical, unethical and unprepared, Mr Trump has sapped American credibility. He may end up causing turmoil and empowering extremists. Hamas is now arguing that America doesn’t care about Gazans. Israel’s hard right can cling to its dream of expelling the Palestinians from Gaza and building settlements there. And Mr Trump is also estranging the allies he needs to make peace. He may have hoped to use the threat of expelling Gazans to get Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel. More likely, the Saudis will find it impossible to reach a compromise.
An article in the Economist
The stakes are massive. But one thing is clear: this isn’t just about war—it’s about gas, power, and reshaping the future of global energy.
If successful, this strategy could deliver immense geopolitical dividends for Trump. It could pave the way for a Trump-brokered Saudi-Israel normalization, a broader Middle East economic alliance, and a significant shift in the region’s energy dynamics. Most importantly, it would achieve a long-standing US goal: eliminating Russian influence from Europe’s energy market.
However, the plan is fraught with moral, legal, and practical challenges. International opposition to forced population transfers remains strong, with both Arab states and Western allies expressing concern. Additionally, the question of Palestinian statehood remains unresolved, posing a major diplomatic hurdle.
(With inputs from agencies)