Trump 2.0 & The Takeover of Gaza: What Lies Ahead?

Donald Trump's recent statement about taking over Gaza is hardly surprising. Even before his inauguration, it was widely anticipated that Trump 2.0 would be the most pro-Israel administration in U.S. history.

During a forum last Saturday, someone posed a question: between the Democrats and Republicans, which party is the lesser evil concerning the Palestinian issue? My answer was the Democrats.

Why?

While the Democrats are undeniably aligned with Israel, they remain bound by fundamental principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law—though often merely as political rhetoric. These principles serve as a threshold that prevents them from acting in an even more extreme manner. We can observe how Biden has been forced into a delicate balancing act with Netanyahu—at times offering full support, at other times pushing for a ceasefire. This back-and-forth dynamic is driven by internal pressure from Democratic supporters who are increasingly uneasy with the humanitarian crisis, which in turn tarnishes the party's global reputation.

For the Republicans, particularly Trump, such constraints are virtually nonexistent. Not only do they support Israel unconditionally, but they also criticize Biden for not being "strong enough" in assisting Israel to achieve absolute victory.

What Does Trump Want?

If we examine Trump’s past record, one of his key agendas has been the "Deal of the Century," a plan proposed in 2020 that aimed to "resolve" the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by:

Developing Gaza into an economic zone, primarily benefiting Israel and Trump’s allies.

Transferring a significant portion of the West Bank under Israeli control.

Declaring the third holiest city in Islam as the capital of Israel.

Granting Palestine a "state" without a military or true sovereignty.

Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have previously expressed strong interest in Gaza, viewing it as a lucrative real estate opportunity. This suggests that clearing Gaza of its current inhabitants might be a top priority for Trump 2.0.

What Could Stop Trump?

Virtually nothing.

The world has already witnessed how, within the first two weeks of his administration, Trump pressured Panama into guaranteeing that China would not gain control over the Panama Canal. Canada and Mexico were fortunate enough to have leverage in trade negotiations.

What leverage does Palestine have in any potential negotiations with Trump? Who will stand alongside local resistance fighters to defend Bumi Barakah?

Turkey? Syria? Saudi Arabia? UAE? Qatar? Iran?

The reality is that Trump is not merely seeking to exert pressure—he is prepared to use Gaza as a bargaining chip in his geopolitical strategy. If this proves true, achieving the objectives of the "Deal of the Century" could very well become a key performance indicator (KPI) of Trump’s second term.

One can only hope that this nefarious plan does not materialize and that Bumi Barakah serves as a turning point in challenging U.S. hegemony—just as the Boer War once marked the beginning of the decline of the British Empire.