You've probably heard the rumors or seen the wild headlines by now. People are asking: can Trump take over Gaza? Is he actually going to turn it into a beachfront resort or some kind of "Riviera of the Middle East"?
Honestly, the reality is way more complicated than just a real estate deal. We’re in January 2026, and the situation on the ground has shifted fast. Since Trump returned to the White House, his approach to Gaza hasn't just been talk—it’s been a series of massive, controversial moves that have basically upended decades of U.S. foreign policy.
It’s not a "takeover" in the way a country invades and plants a flag. It’s something different. It’s a mix of corporate-style oversight, international security forces, and a whole lot of American leverage.
The Board of Peace: Trump’s Corporate Model for a War Zone
If you want to understand if Trump can "take over" Gaza, you have to look at the Board of Peace. This isn't your typical UN committee. Just a few days ago, on January 16, 2026, the White House announced the founding executive board for this thing.
Trump is the chair.
Think about that for a second. The President of the United States is personally chairing a board that is designed to oversee the "transitional governance" of a territory that isn't even part of the U.S. It’s unprecedented. He’s brought in a heavy-hitting team to run it:
- Marco Rubio (Secretary of State)
- Jared Kushner (The architect of the Abraham Accords)
- Sir Tony Blair (Former UK Prime Minister)
- Ajay Banga (World Bank President)
- Steve Witkoff (Real estate mogul and special envoy)
Basically, Trump is treating Gaza like a distressed asset that needs a new management team. The Board of Peace is supposed to handle the funding and the framework for redevelopment until a "reformed" Palestinian Authority can take over. But the timeline is fuzzy, and that "takeover" of responsibility looks a lot like American control in all but name.
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What Does "Take Over" Actually Mean?
When people ask "can Trump take over Gaza," they usually mean one of three things. Let's break those down.
1. Military Occupation
Trump has been pretty clear: he doesn't want U.S. "boots on the ground" in a permanent way if he can help it. Instead, the plan involves an International Stabilization Force (ISF). This is a multinational military body led by Major General Jasper Jeffers. The goal is to replace the Israeli military presence with this force to "demilitarize" the strip.
So, it's not a U.S. military occupation, but it is a U.S.-led security mission.
2. Legal Sovereignty
Legally, no, Trump can't just "own" Gaza. International law is pretty stubborn about that. UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (passed in 2025) endorsed parts of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, but it didn't give away the land. However, Trump has famously said he sees a "long-term ownership position" for the U.S. to ensure stability.
Kinda sounds like he’s looking for a workaround to traditional sovereignty—more like a long-term lease or a protectorate status.
3. Economic Control
This is where the "Riviera" talk comes in. Trump’s plan includes a Special Economic Zone. We're talking about clearing the rubble (which is a massive job, considering the destruction) and building high-end housing and "miracle cities."
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The idea is to use American and Gulf state money to rebuild so fast that the "people of Gaza won't want to go back" to how things were. It’s "peace through prosperity," but it requires the U.S. to have total control over the purse strings and the planning.
The 20-Point Plan: How We Got Here
It’s easy to forget that this all started with a 20-point proposal Trump dropped back in 2025. It wasn't just a tweet; it was a roadmap that caught the world off guard.
The plan called for an immediate ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and then—this is the big part—the creation of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). This is a 15-member group of "technocratic" Palestinians led by Dr. Ali Sha’ath.
Dr. Sha'ath is supposed to run the day-to-day stuff like trash pickup and hospitals. But he reports to the Board of Peace. And who chairs the Board of Peace? Trump.
So, does Trump "own" Gaza? Not on paper. Does he control the people who control Gaza? Sorta, yeah.
Why This Isn't Just "Business as Usual"
A lot of experts, like those at Chatham House and the Council on Foreign Relations, are skeptical. They point out that Gaza is still "sporadically violent." Hamas hasn't just disappeared, and they aren't exactly thrilled about a U.S.-led board running their backyard.
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There's also the Netanyahu factor. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a complicated relationship with Trump. Trump has a lot of leverage over him right now—more than any previous president. He’s pushing Netanyahu to accept this "internationalization" of Gaza, even though the Israeli far-right wants to annex the land themselves.
It’s a high-stakes poker game. Trump is betting that he can buy peace with development. Netanyahu is betting he can keep his coalition together while Trump does the heavy lifting.
The Challenges (Or Why This Might Fail)
You can't just "level the site" and build a resort when there are millions of people living there who have their own ideas about their future.
- International Law: UN experts have already warned that replacing an Israeli occupation with a U.S.-led "stabilization force" might still violate the Palestinian right to self-determination.
- The Rubble: There are literally thousands of tons of unexploded bombs and debris. It’s a humanitarian nightmare that doesn't just go away because you have a "Board of Peace."
- Regional Backlash: While countries like Egypt and Jordan are involved in the talks, they’ve been very clear: they won't support any plan that forces Palestinians out of Gaza permanently.
What You Should Watch Next
The idea of Trump "taking over" Gaza is less about a military conquest and more about a diplomatic and economic hostile takeover. He’s trying to bypass the old "two-state solution" talk and replace it with a corporate governance model.
If you’re trying to keep track of this, here are the real-world markers to watch:
- The ISF Deployment: Keep an eye on when the first non-Israeli troops actually enter Gaza. If they are led by U.S. generals, the "takeover" is effectively in motion.
- The Board of Peace Meetings: Watch who else joins. Trump has invited Turkey's President Erdogan to join the board. If major regional players sign on, Trump’s control becomes much more "legitimate" in the eyes of the world.
- The 2026 Israeli Elections: Netanyahu is facing a tough re-election. If he loses, the whole Trump plan might have to be renegotiated with a new Israeli leader.
This isn't just about real estate. It's about a fundamental shift in how the world handles "failed" territories. Whether it works or not, Trump has already changed the map of the Middle East—literally and figuratively.
Actionable Next Steps
- Monitor the NCAG: Follow news about Dr. Ali Sha’ath’s committee. If they actually start restoring services without getting shot at, the "Phase Two" of Trump's plan is working.
- Check the "Riviera" Progress: Look for announcements regarding the "Special Economic Zone" tariffs. This will be the first sign of whether international investors actually believe Trump can secure the area.
- Verify the Hostage Status: The entire 20-point plan hinges on the final return of all remains and hostages. If that stalls, the "takeover" likely stalls with it.
The situation is moving fast. Don't just look for "Trump" in the news; look for the "Board of Peace" and the "International Stabilization Force." Those are the real tools of this new American influence in Gaza.