Trump’s Gaza plan aims to weaken Türkiye’s Eastern Mediterranean influence: Experts

International law experts claim that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported plan to take control of Gaza and relocate Palestinians is aimed at securing dominance over the Eastern Mediterranean’s natural resources, according to Türkiye Daily.

They argue that this effort seeks to eliminate Türkiye’s influence in the region.

Why it matters

Gaza’s strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean places it near significant energy reserves. Experts suggest that control over Gaza is tied to broader geopolitical struggles, particularly efforts to counter Türkiye’s regional presence.

What experts say

• Professor Nuray Eksi (Yeditepe University) emphasized that Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem are internationally recognized as Palestinian territories. She pointed to U.N. Security Council and International Court of Justice rulings that prohibit Israel from annexing Palestinian land.
• Eksi argued that Trump’s plan lacks legal justification and serves a broader strategy: “For the U.S. to establish dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean, Palestinians must be removed. Every effort to weaken Türkiye’s presence in the region must be countered.”
• Dr. Hakan Erkiner (Marmara University) dismissed Trump’s plan as unrealistic but warned of Israel’s long-term goals. He argued that Israel’s policies are driven by a mix of religious and expansionist motives, making legal challenges alone insufficient.
• Erkiner warned that if Gaza is left isolated, Israel’s actions could escalate, suggesting that power politics will continue to shape the region beyond legal considerations.

Bigger picture

• The struggle over Eastern Mediterranean energy reserves has fueled geopolitical tensions. Experts link U.S. and Israeli actions in Gaza and Cyprus to a larger effort to reshape regional power dynamics.
• Türkiye has actively opposed similar territorial shifts, particularly blocking PKK/YPG expansion toward the sea in northern Syria.