Could ‘Disneyland’ rebuilding strategy defeat Hamas in Gaza?

Arab states are reportedly refusing to fund Gaza reconstruction as long as Hamas remains in power.

By World Israel News Staff

The United States and Israel may adopt the so-called “Disneyland” approach to rebuilding Gaza, a strategy that would limit reconstruction to areas where Hamas is no longer in control.

The goal is to create a stark, visual contrast that reminds Gazan civilians of the consequences of the October 7 massacres and the subsequent war.

According to a Fox News Digital report, Arab states are refusing to invest in post-war Gaza, fearing that because Hamas still maintains de facto control of the Strip, their financial support would be wasted when future fighting inevitably breaks out between the terror group and Israel.

Military strategy expert John Spencer, executive director of the Urban Warfare Institute, said one way to ensure Hamas does not maintain its grip on power is by ensuring that terrirtory liberated from the group is thriving. He noted that this method has been used effectively by the U.S. during the Iraq insurgency and the Afghanistan conflict, a tactic referred to as the “Disneyland” strategy.

“You take any piece of the problem — here we’re talking about terrain — and you clear out all the bad: Hamas, tunnels, weapons, everything,” Spencer told Fox News Digital.

“Then you let civilians in, and you build something new — markets, buildings, schools, electricity. We called it Disneyland because we wanted it to look like hope — like the future.”

Spencer emphasized that building “a little piece of goodness, a little Disneyland,” is important to “show everybody what’s possible.” He added that it would also demonstrate to countries providing stabilization forces what their role could be in areas cleared of Hamas control.

However, Spencer acknowledged that achieving such a reality remains far off.

Meanwhile, Gazan civilians have repeatedly told international media outlets that Hamas appears to be assuming its pre-war role as the governing body of the enclave — collecting taxes, providing municipal services, and publicly executing dissidents.