Trump's Gaza Rebuild Plan Sidelines Palestinians Entirely

A 22-minute video might just rewrite the Middle East's future. Trump's Gaza reconstruction plan isn't about rebuilding—it's about building something entirely new, without Palestinians at the table.

Reconstruction Without Representation

Trump's approach breaks from decades of diplomatic orthodoxy. Instead of the traditional two-state solution, it envisions Arab states and Israel jointly managing Gaza after Hamas's complete elimination. The Palestinian Authority gets a backseat role at best, with the West Bank potentially facing long-term settlement expansion that could make Palestinian statehood impossible.

The plan treats Gaza as a blank slate. After 15 years of blockade and recent devastation, Trump's team sees an opportunity to create something unprecedented: a Palestinian territory run by everyone except Palestinians. Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other Gulf states would provide capital and expertise, while Israel handles security.

This isn't just about Gaza—it's a pilot project for reshaping Palestinian territories entirely. If successful, the model could extend to the West Bank, effectively ending Palestinian aspirations for independent statehood through economic integration rather than military force.

Abraham Accords 2.0

The reconstruction plan builds on the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. UAE and Bahrain led the way, followed by Morocco and Sudan. Now Gaza becomes the testing ground for deeper Arab-Israeli cooperation.

Saudi Arabia holds the key. The kingdom has historically demanded Palestinian statehood as a precondition for recognizing Israel. But regional dynamics are shifting. Iran's proxy network threatens Saudi interests, while China and Russia challenge American influence. These pressures might make the Saudis more flexible on Palestinian rights.

For Arab states, the deal offers compelling incentives. They gain access to Israeli technology and intelligence capabilities while containing Iranian influence. Economic opportunities in Gaza reconstruction could generate substantial returns, especially in energy and infrastructure sectors.

International Resistance and Reality

The European Union and United Nations face an uncomfortable dilemma. The plan violates Palestinian self-determination principles they've championed for decades. Yet after 16 months of war, Hamas's governance has collapsed, and the Palestinian Authority lacks credibility or capacity to govern Gaza.

China and Russia oppose the plan as American unilateralism, seeing it as competition for their own Middle East influence. China's Belt and Road Initiative already includes several Arab states, making any US-led regional restructuring a strategic threat.

But criticism doesn't equal viable alternatives. The international community has struggled for decades to resolve the Palestinian question. Trump's team argues that idealistic solutions have failed, and pragmatic ones deserve a chance.

The Economics of Erasure

The plan's economic logic is straightforward. Gaza's 2.3 million residents need jobs, infrastructure, and hope. Arab investment could transform the territory from a humanitarian crisis into a regional success story. Israeli security expertise could ensure stability that's eluded Gaza for decades.

Yet economics can't erase political identity. Palestinians in Gaza have endured occupation, blockade, and war while maintaining their national aspirations. Whether economic prosperity can substitute for political rights remains the plan's biggest gamble.