Trump's Unanticipated Gaza Overhaul Plan Sparks Internal Surprise

President Donald Trump unveiled an ambitious new strategy for Gaza that involves the United States taking ownership of the territory and turning it from a perceived “hellhole” into a thriving "Middle Eastern Riviera." Described by some as an effort to break the cycle of unsuccessful peace talks that has long plagued the region, the idea was reportedly developed over time but was still a surprise to several of his senior advisors. During a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump did not exclude the possibility of deploying American troops to the region, emphasizing the scale of his vision.

Some of Trump’s inner circle were completely taken aback by the announcement. While a Middle East adviser, who spoke on anonymity, expressed shock at learning about the plan only as it was announced, other officials claimed to have received word of it in the days leading up to the press conference. However, several senior GOP figures and members of the Armed Services Committees confirmed that the proposal had never been a topic of discussion during prior private meetings with the president.

The plan appeared to be a deliberate effort by Trump and his team to break away from the repetitive approaches that had dominated previous attempts at peace in Gaza. Though his closest advisers, including national security adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, had been briefed on the plan before the announcement and discussed it with Netanyahu the night before, key figures such as the Secretary of State were left in the dark until the televised reveal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the idea had been formulated over time and only publicly introduced as part of the president’s remarks, reflecting an unconventional strategy to reshape the region.