Some see U.S. control as a viable path to Gaza’s transformation. And the Israeli Defense Minister has ordered the IDF to prepare for an evacuation of Gazans to relocate hostile elements and clear the future “Sunset Strip” of terrorist infrastructure and terror supporters.

Former President Donald Trump’s recent proposal for the United States to assume control of the Gaza Strip after Israel eliminates Hamas is gaining surprising traction. While many world leaders have dismissed the idea as impractical or controversial, some strategists and commentators argue that it may be the only realistic path to turning Gaza from a war-ravaged territory into a thriving, internationally connected metropolis akin to Las Vegas — with a glittering “Riviera” seacoast, like LA or Tel Aviv.

The Proposal: U.S. Control After Hamas’ Defeat

Trump’s plan hinges on the premise that Israel will first finish off Hamas militarily, ensuring that the terrorist organization no longer controls or influences Gaza. Once Hamas is eradicated, Israel would hand over administration of the Strip to the U.S., which, in partnership with allied governments and private investors, would oversee its redevelopment. Trump envisions turning the war-torn enclave into a high-end entertainment and leisure hub, complete with resorts, casinos, and luxury real estate.

“This could be something so valuable, something so magnificent,” Trump said in a recent interview, emphasizing that a complete break from the past is necessary to give Gaza a future. The unique advantage is that Gaza is not sovereign. It’ s a colonial left over. Thus it is ripe to be “taken over” and developed, with its population to be located in the manner of other population transfers that solved insoluble ethnic clashes like the Greeks and Turks or the Indians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis in the last century.

Supporters See a Rare Opportunity

Though initially dismissed by traditional policymakers, Trump’s proposal is attracting support from those who believe every other option has failed. The Palestinian Authority lacks the credibility and governance capacity to run Gaza, and Hamas has turned the enclave into a launchpad for terror. A U.S.-led administration, backed by Arab partners and corporate investors, could, in theory, break this cycle and bring prosperity to the region.

“There is a precedent for this,” said a senior Israeli defense official. “Post-WWII, we saw how war-torn regions were rebuilt under international guidance. Gaza has never had a real chance to thrive, and this could be it.”

Economic strategists have pointed to models such as Dubai, Singapore, and even Las Vegas as examples of how areas with minimal resources can become global financial and tourism powerhouses. The argument is that Gaza’s prime location on the Mediterranean, if free from terrorism and instability, could attract billions in foreign investment.

Challenges: Who Would Accept Displaced Gazans?

However, the biggest hurdle remains the question of what would happen to Gaza’s current population. Trump has floated the idea of relocating Gazans to neighboring countries, but Egypt and Jordan have made clear they are unwilling to absorb refugees. Meanwhile, Western nations have not shown enthusiasm for mass resettlement.

“Expulsion is the price for murdering and supporting murderers,” one proponent of the plan stated bluntly, arguing that those complicit in Hamas’ reign of terror should not be rewarded with continued residency in the Strip. This hardline view aligns with the belief that only a complete reset—both in governance and demographics—can allow Gaza to be rebuilt from the ground up.

A Vision of the Future: The New Gaza

If Trump’s vision were realized, Gaza could emerge as the world’s newest jewel—a glittering Mediterranean hub of tourism, technology, and trade. Imagine a Gaza Sunset Strip, lined with luxury casinos, five-star resorts, high-end shopping districts, and waterfront promenades bustling with international visitors. A deepwater port and cutting-edge transportation infrastructure could turn Gaza into a global logistics hub—an alternative to the Suez Canal, linking Asia, Africa, and Europe in ways that no one imagined possible.

With smart investment and forward-thinking leadership, Gaza could become a beacon of modernity, a magnet for the world’s elite, a meeting place for cultures, and a shining example of what can emerge from peace, cooperation, and ambition. It could embody what the Middle East could be—a region of co-existence, where economic prosperity replaces ideological hatred.

Yet, for this vision to succeed, one principle must remain non-negotiable: Gaza must forever be off-limits to terrorists and their supporters. Those who once turned it into a launchpad for war should never again be allowed to set foot in its future of peace and prosperity.

For now, Trump’s idea is still in the realm of speculation. But as war, stagnation, and failed solutions continue to define Gaza, the prospect of transformation under new leadership is no longer just a fantasy—it might be the only real way forward.