U. S. President Donald Trump's speech on the immigration of Palestinians from Gaza, either willingly or not, has ignited the fantasies of quite a few Israelis. Truth be told, certainly after the October 7 massacre, many in Israel would like to see Gaza flattened, the Palestinians living there gone and the Strip that for decades has been enemy territory, become a thriving American beach resort. It would be a dream only there is a problem. It is not realistic, possible or doable.
This may be the old-new president's stunt to show how much he can think outside of the box, or perhaps it is an aggressive stance in the face of Hamas, but the bottom line is that it is not a plan of action. No Arab entity or official would cooperate with it. Even the more moderate Arab nations vehemently oppose it.
U.S. President Trump on Gaza future
(MSNBC)
No Palestinian official would cooperate with Trump's displacement plan that is reminiscent of the Nakba, the '1948 catastrophe' when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians left or were removed from the emerging state of Israel. Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and even the UAE are against the plan and the angry responses were quick to arrive. The Palestinian Authority aligned with Hamas as well and announced its adamant rejection of the plan.
Trump's proposal could have been seen as logical or even realistic from a Western perspective. Gaza is unlivable now, at least in large parts of the Strip. Soon after the war began, it became clear that Yahya Sinwar and his brother chose to lead the Palestinians into a new catastrophe. It is conceivable that many Gazans would have opted to leave, given the chance.
Trump's threats, which have worked with countries like Colombia or Canada, cannot work on radical Islamists who feed on violence and bloodshed
But Hamas, and its fanatics led by Mohammed Sinwar, are still in control and they care nothing about Gaza, its continued destruction or the death of more of its residents, as long as their objectives are met. Trump's threats, which have worked with countries like Colombia or Canada, cannot work on radical Islamists who feed on violence and bloodshed.
Therefore, it is doubtful that his announced plan would lead to a rapid completion of the second phase of the cease-fire deal. It is more likely that it will bring further extremism and endanger the completion of the first phase while Arab countries such as Jordan and Egypt, who may fear the loss of American aid, are far more afraid of an influx of Palestinians into their territory.
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The Israeli reception of the Trump proposal would likely not lead to the release of hostages and may even hasten the resumption of the war. Israel may have to fight Hamas for many long months.
As long as there is no alternative to the Hamas rule, any military action would lead to further destruction and death but will not bring Hamas to its knees, nor remove it from power. It would only result in the deaths of more soldiers who would be made to fight an endless war with no realistic conclusion in site.