If insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results (copyright: Albert Einstein), then the international approach to Gaza has been nothing short of institutionalised madness.
For two decades, the Strip has been a cauldron of terrorism, economic failure, and international hand-wringing.
Then along came Donald J. Trump—the man who doesn’t do stalemates.
His proposal to evacuate Gazans to Egypt and rebuild the territory from scratch is the kind of bold, paradigm-shifting strategy the region desperately needs.
Predictably, the idea has been met with cries of outrage from the usual suspects. But scratch beneath the surface, and it becomes clear: President Trump’s plan is not only viable but also the best humanitarian and geopolitical solution on offer.
The Failure of the Status Quo
Gaza has long been held hostage—both literally and figuratively—by Hamas, an Iranian-backed terror syndicate masquerading as a governing body.
The international community, in its infinite wisdom, has poured billions into the Strip, only for Hamas to divert funds to tunnels, rockets, and warfare, rather than hospitals, schools, and infrastructure.
The result? An impoverished, radicalised population, caught in an endless cycle of violence. The world then feigns surprise when Israel, tired of absorbing rocket fire, takes decisive military action.
The Palestinian issue has remained unresolved largely because the “solutions” put forward have been variations of the same tired theme:
- Ceasefires that Hamas violates
- “Humanitarian aid” that strengthens terrorists
- Diplomatic platitudes that amount to nothing
The Trump proposal throws out the broken playbook and offers a fresh start—one that acknowledges reality rather than indulging in fantasy.
The Egyptian Solution: A Logical Relocation
Trump’s proposal to evacuate Gazans to Egypt is not a forced displacement—it is an opportunity.
Sinai, with its vast, sparsely populated areas, offers a realistic chance to resettle refugees in conditions far superior to their current existence under Hamas rule.
The idea that Egypt should categorically refuse to integrate its Arab brethren is absurd—especially when doing so would spare them from living under a terrorist regime.
Moreover, many Gazans have already expressed their desire to leave, knowing that life under Hamas-controlled Gaza is a dead end.
Egypt, of course, has been reluctant to take in large numbers of Gazans, fearing destabilisation.
But here’s where Trump’s deal-making prowess comes into play. A well-structured international package, with investment in Egypt’s economy and infrastructure, could turn this into a win-win.
Cairo has long struggled with underdevelopment in the Sinai Peninsula. With the right incentives, resettling Gazans could become a pathway for regional growth rather than a burden.
Rebuilding Gaza: The Trumpian Way
Once emptied of Hamas and its terror infrastructure, Gaza can be transformed into something unthinkable today: a functioning, peaceful territory.
But to do this, we must first abandon the illusion that Gaza, in its current state, can be salvaged. It cannot. It has been too deeply entrenched in violence and destruction to be reformed through minor tweaks.
Instead, Trump’s plan envisions a radical transformation.
A rebuilt Gaza could be a Middle Eastern success story—akin to a Dubai on the Mediterranean. A free-trade hub, an economic zone flourishing with investment, industry, and tourism. But for that to happen, the old Gaza—the Gaza of terror, squalor, and perpetual war—must be left behind. A fresh start is required, and it begins with the removal of those who have made it ungovernable.
Addressing the Critics
Predictably, the professional outrage industry has recoiled in horror at Trump’s suggestion. The accusations of “ethnic cleansing” are as lazy as they are dishonest.
- What is truly cruel is leaving Gazans under Hamas rule, condemning them to perpetual misery.
- What is inhumane is allowing Hamas to use civilians as human shields while engaging in endless war with Israel.
- Evacuation, far from being a forced march, is an escape from a death trap.
Others argue that such a move would be politically unfeasible. Yet, what is the alternative?
- Another ceasefire, followed by another war?
- Another cycle of destruction and rebuilding?
If anything, Trump’s plan forces the international community to confront an uncomfortable truth: Real solutions require real change—not empty slogans.
A Historic Opportunity
Trump’s plan is not just about solving Gaza—it’s about reshaping the Middle East.
- By removing Hamas’s ability to wage war, it weakens Iran’s regional influence.
- By working with Egypt on a solution, it strengthens an important U.S. ally.
- By offering Gazans a new life away from Hamas’s grip, it breaks a cycle that has endured for too long.
The time for half-measures is over.
If Gaza is to have a future, it must be built on a foundation free from terror and destruction. Trump, as always, sees what others refuse to acknowledge: Peace is not the absence of war—it is the presence of order and prosperity.
For too long, the world has done nothing but manage Gaza’s suffering.
Perhaps it is time, finally, to end it.
And if the critics don’t like it, they can always go back to their usual hobby of condemning Israel for defending itself.
Bepi Pezzulli is a Solicitor specialised in Governance & Leadership as well as the Political Director of Italia Atlantica. Follow Bepi on X here.
