Thinking Big on Gaza A Bold Break from a Broken Model

For decades, foreign policy elites have insisted that the only path forward in the Middle East is the much-ballyhooed “two-state solution.” The Oslo Accords, Camp David\endless negotiations—yet the results are in, and they speak for themselves. The so-called peace process has been nothing more than a mirage in the desert, while Hamas continues to prove that it has no interest in peace, only perpetual terror.

Enter a new approach. Say what you will about President Donald Trump’s proposal for Gaza, but one thing is clear: it is a radical departure from decades of failed thinking.

And that is precisely why it deserves attention.

Let’s be honest: Hamas and the broader Palestinian leadership have never been partners in peace. Instead of building a thriving society, they have turned Gaza ito a launching pad for terrorism. Billions in foreign aid, most of it from American taxpayers, have flowed into Gaza—only to be funneled into rockets, tunnels, and terrorism. The “humanitarian” organizations? Many have functioned as little more than corrupt middlemen, enriching themselves while the people of Gaza remain trapped in misery.

And now, Gaza itself is uninhabitable. War has left it in ruins, with destroyed buildings, crumbling infrastructure, and unexploded ordnance littering the streets. There is no-functioning economy, no security, and no future under the status quo. If ever there was a time to break from failed policies, it is now.

President Trump’s plan takes a wrecking ball to this broken system. Instead of trying to negotiate with terrorists, he proposes a clean break. A full-scale redevelopment, led by American and Israeli interests, transforming Gaza into a modern, economically thriving region. Imagine the possibilities: a "Riviera of the Middle East," as Trump puts it, instead of the world’s largest open-air prison.

Let’s be clear: the traditional two-state framework is a fantasy. It was never going towork because one party—Hamas—has never wanted it to work. Instead, they have pursued destruction, oppression, and violence, with Iran backing them at every step.

Trump’s approach acknowledges this reality. His plan, while controversial, is the first in decades to abandon the failed paradigm of appeasement and pretend diplomacy. The idea that the U.S. would take an active role in clearing out the remnants of Hamas, securing the region, and redeveloping Gaza is a striking contrast to the aimless, ineffective policies of past administrations.

And let’s not forget economic dynamism is the real pathway to stability. What has worked everywhere—from South Korea to Singapore—has been free-market principles, not UN welfare programs and foreign aid. Trump’s vision of turning Gaza into a hub for investment, luxury development, and global tourism is a strategy rooted in prosperity, not permanent dependency.

Now that Trump has put forth this bold plan, all regional players—including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and other potential Middle Eastern partners—can begin to think outside the box. Instead of perpetuating the same old cycle of failed peace talks and diplomatic stalemates, they can refocus efforts on isolating the real enemy to peace: Iran.

Israel has never had a bigger supporter than Donald J. Trump. His record speaks for itself. When others only talked about supporting Israel, Trump took action. He did what no other president dared: he moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing it as Israel's eternal and undivided capital. This wasn’t just symbolic; it was a clear message that America stands with Israel, no matter what the international establishment says. And the results? A stronger U.S.-Israel alliance, the Abraham Accords, and a bold new era for Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Now, will this plan be met with resistance? Absolutely. And who is resisting? The same tired, old establishment players who have been content with the status quo for decades. These are the bureaucrats, the career diplomats, and the so-called experts who talk endlessly about solutions but do nothing while the carnage continues. They don’t truly care about peace, they care about maintaining their grip on power and their outdated, failed ideas. Hamas and their backers will call it ethnic cleansing—never mind that they have spent years trying to wipe Israel off the map. The media will howl. But at the end of the day, what matters is the results.

President Trump’s plan is bold. It’s unconventional. And it’s the first idea in years that actually acknowledges reality instead of indulging in fantasy. Enough is enough. The world has tolerated decades of empty talk, wasted billions on corrupt regimes, and allowed terrorists to dictate the future of an entire region. The time for half-measures and weak leadership is over. A new era of strength, clarity, and real solutions has begun. It’s time to think big, act decisively, and finally deliver peace through power.

Perry O Hooper Jr is a former State Representative who writes columns on his political perspective and has been published in a number of publications around Alabama and beyond. He was an early supporter of Donald Trump and was the 2016 Trump Victory Chair.

Opinions expressed in the Alabama Gazette are the opinions and viewpoints of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Alabama Gazette staff, advertisers, and/ publishers.