Trump and Netanyahu Tackle Gaza’s Future Without Hamas in White House Talks

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene at the White House on Monday to tackle a pressing question: what does Gaza’s future hold without Hamas? The stakes are high, as any path forward must navigate a minefield of political, security, and structural challenges.

Experts argue that dismantling Hamas requires simultaneously building a viable alternative. John Hannah, a seasoned foreign policy expert, emphasizes the need for a non-Hamas technocratic government, composed of Palestinians unaffiliated with either Hamas or the PLO. This new administration would ideally gain legitimacy through a symbolic link to the Palestinian Authority (PA), perhaps by funneling salaries through Ramallah, though the PA wouldn’t hold real power. A coalition of Arab states—Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE—could back this effort, but only if Hamas is fully disarmed, not just paused by a ceasefire.

However, securing Israeli approval is a major hurdle. An Israeli security official insists on guarantees for counterterrorism access, including buffer zones and the right for Israeli forces to act on intelligence. This setup, akin to arrangements in the West Bank, demands robust American-led diplomacy. Hannah notes that only the U.S. has the clout to bridge the divides between Israel, Arab states, and international players.

One wildcard is Qatar. Its financial muscle is undeniable, but its ties to Hamas raise red flags. Any Qatari involvement would require strict oversight to ensure funds don’t bolster the wrong hands. Meanwhile, the United Nations, particularly UNRWA, is sidelined due to credibility issues, with its role likely limited to symbolic endorsements.

An emerging idea is empowering local clans to create self-governing enclaves in Gaza. Joseph Braude, a Middle East expert, sees potential in figures like Yasser Abu Shabab, a Bedouin militia leader with ties to Egyptian forces. He could rally civic-minded Gazans—engineers, teachers, and others—to manage local services. Yet, skeptics like Ghaith al-Omari argue these clans lack the cohesion or legitimacy to govern effectively, pointing to failed experiments like the Doghmush clan, whose leaders were executed by Hamas.

The deeper challenge lies in shifting Gaza’s social fabric. As Braude puts it, peace requires Palestinians who prioritize their own future over hatred of Israel. Identifying and empowering such leaders is the real task—and the opportunity—at hand.