The Nightmare of a U.S. Invasion and Occupation of Gaza

In a recent press conference at the White House, President Donald Trump announced a controversial plan for the United States to “take over” and “own” the Gaza Strip, proposing the relocation of its approximately two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. He described Gaza as a “demolition site” and suggested that, after clearing the area, it could be redeveloped into a prosperous region, potentially becoming “the Riviera of the Middle East.”  

This proposal marks a significant departure from longstanding U.S. policy, which has traditionally supported a two-state solution, envisioning Gaza as part of a future Palestinian state alongside the West Bank. The plan has been met with widespread criticism and skepticism from various quarters..

A Quagmire Worse Than Iraq and Afghanistan

For context, the U.S. struggled for two decades to stabilize Iraq and Afghanistan, countries far larger than Gaza, with greater strategic depth and more resources. Despite deploying hundreds of thousands of troops, maintaining extensive intelligence networks, and working with local governments, the U.S. ultimately withdrew from both, leaving fragile states behind.

Gaza is even more challenging:

• Dense Urban Warfare: With a population of over 2 million people crammed into a tiny, blockaded strip, urban warfare would be hellish. Every street, tunnel, and building could be a battleground.

• Endless Insurgency: Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other militant factions would immediately pivot from governing Gaza to waging guerrilla warfare. They would have no shortage of recruits, and American soldiers would be the prime target.

• Global Jihadist Focus: A U.S. occupation of Gaza would be the ultimate rallying cry for jihadists worldwide. Groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Iran-backed militias would see this as the ultimate battlefield against American “imperialism.” Suicide bombings, IEDs, and hostage situations would become routine.

Permanent U.S. Military Presence? Think Again.

For the U.S. to maintain long-term control over Gaza, it would require:

• Tens of thousands of troops: This isn’t a quick airstrike campaign—an occupation means boots on the ground, 24/7. The cost would be astronomical, both financially and in American lives.

• An Iron Dome for U.S. Forces: Right now, Israel relies on the Iron Dome to intercept Hamas rockets. If the U.S. took over Gaza, American bases and patrols would be constant targets for mortars, drones, and missiles from every direction. A whole new air defense system would be needed just to keep the occupation force alive.

• A Never-Ending War: Even if the U.S. overran Hamas, the resistance wouldn’t stop. As seen in Iraq, where insurgencies sprang up after Saddam Hussein’s fall, militants would adapt, organize, and launch continuous attacks. Any U.S.-appointed government in Gaza would be seen as a puppet, rejected by the people.

Regional Consequences: A War with Iran and Beyond?

Iran, Hezbollah, and other U.S. adversaries in the Middle East would not sit idly by. Hezbollah, with its arsenal of precision-guided missiles, could launch an all-out attack on U.S. positions. Iran, through its proxy network, could destabilize U.S. forces across the region. The Houthis in Yemen, already targeting American warships, would escalate their assaults.

At the same time, U.S. allies like Egypt and Jordan, who are already struggling with public anger over the Israel-Gaza war, would be forced to distance themselves from Washington. Even Europe, which often backs U.S. interventions, would likely refuse to support such an operation.

The Bottom Line: A Suicide Mission

Trump’s proposal to invade, occupy, and “own” Gaza is not just unrealistic—it’s suicidal. It would trigger an unending war, drain American resources, and expose U.S. troops to daily attacks from every militant group in the region. It would also further isolate the U.S. on the global stage, with even its closest allies refusing to support such reckless aggression.

If history has taught the U.S. anything, it’s that military occupations in the Middle East don’t end well. Gaza would be no different—only worse.