By: Fern Sidman

In a major development that could significantly shape the future of the Gaza Strip, senior officials in the Trump administration are actively discussing the establishment of a U.S.-led transitional government in Gaza following the defeat of Hamas, according to a detailed report published by Reuters on Wednesday and widely cited by World Israel News.

The confidential consultations between Washington and Jerusalem—confirmed by five sources familiar with the matter—center on the creation of a temporary governing authority that would ensure the coastal enclave remains stable, demilitarized, and free from both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. According to the information provided in the World Israel News report, the Biden-era policies of diplomatic equivocation have been replaced by a firm Trump doctrine: one that prioritizes American oversight, Israeli security, and a post-Hamas reality rooted in clear and uncompromising leadership.

Officials involved in the discussions have drawn comparisons between the proposed Gaza authority and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) created in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Like the CPA, this U.S.-led body in Gaza would serve as an interim government with full administrative and security control, tasked with dismantling terrorist infrastructure and rebuilding basic services.

As the report on World Israel News noted, no official timeline has been set for how long this transitional government would remain in place, but sources indicated that it would persist for “as long as needed” to achieve complete stabilization and the elimination of terror threats.

The proposal marks a strategic evolution in Trump’s Middle East policy, focusing on direct U.S. leadership rather than deferring to regional actors or the deeply discredited Palestinian Authority, according to the World Israel News report. Importantly, neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority would be permitted to govern Gaza under the plan.

One of the more likely governance structures under consideration involves Palestinian technocrats administering day-to-day functions, but under strict U.S. supervision, with support from regional stakeholders yet to be publicly identified. These technocrats, as was explained in the World Israel News report, would be vetted for non-affiliation with terrorist groups and commitment to long-term peace and civilian rehabilitation.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to confirm whether such a proposal has been formally offered, citing ongoing diplomatic sensitivities. However, the spokesperson emphasized the administration’s unwavering commitment to “peace and the immediate release of hostages,” adding, “The pillars of our approach remain resolute: stand with Israel, stand for peace.”

The roots of the current proposal can be traced back to remarks made by President Trump in February, shortly after taking office for his second term. At the time, Trump shocked many in the foreign policy establishment by announcing that the United States would be “buying and owning Gaza” as a means of preventing further regional instability and ensuring long-term control over one of the world’s most volatile territories.

“I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza,” Trump declared. “As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it, other people may do it, through our auspices.”

Trump also made it clear that Hamas would never be allowed to return to the Strip and that U.S. control would be key to ensuring that outcome.

World Israel News reported at the time that Trump’s bold remarks were met with a mix of astonishment and cautious support across the region, particularly among Gulf allies who have long tired of Hamas’s destabilizing influence and Iran’s proxies on their borders.

Though the proposed transitional authority would be U.S.-led, sources told World Israel News that the administration is considering inviting other nations to participate, particularly those who are trusted allies in the war on terror and have a stake in Gaza’s long-term stability. However, there has been no confirmation as to which countries might be involved or what roles they would play.

Analysts cited by World Israel News suggest potential participants could include Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, though each would likely demand clear limitations on the duration and scope of their involvement.

Whether the proposed interim government will come to fruition remains to be seen. As the World Israel News report emphasized, key roles and logistical frameworks have yet to be assigned, and significant diplomatic hurdles remain. The plan is also likely to face criticism from opponents of U.S. interventionism, as well as from international organizations wary of bypassing Palestinian national institutions—even those widely seen as corrupt or compromised.

Nevertheless, the Trump administration appears committed to a post-war Gaza governed by principles of stability, accountability, and pro-Western oversight—a sharp departure from the chaos of past decades.

With two dozen Israeli hostages still missing, Hamas significantly degraded but not eliminated, and international pressure mounting, the prospect of a U.S.-controlled Gaza may soon shift from theoretical to operational. As the report on World Israel News indicated, the next phase of Middle East governance may well be decided not in Ramallah or Gaza City—but in Washington and Jerusalem, together.