When it comes to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, perhaps the most complicated variable is the land itself. That’s why a peace proposal which would allow Gaza to triple in size is worthy of a second look.

The author is Giora Eiland, in a new paper published by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Eiland is a heavyweight; a retired IDF Major-General and former head of Israel’s National Security Council.

Among the various options he considers in “Rethinking the Two State Solution” is one entitled “A Regional Solution.” He argues:

“Because Israel and the Palestinians have to share a parcel of land that is too small for both of them, neither can make substantive concessions, creating a zero-sum game that could lead to a true dead end. The only real contribution that the Arab countries can offer is exactly what the Israelis and Palestinians need-more land. The regional approach proposed in this paper involves a multilateral swap that would produce net gains for all relevant parties. For example, this solution would triple Gaza’s size-the only way to offer a real prospect for the poor population of that area, and the only way to shift public opinion away from Hamas and toward a plan with real hope.”

The regional solution - not the only possible solution outlined in the report - would involve a series of land swaps within a quadrangle composed of Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Palestine. The idea is simple, but effective: by giving something up, everyone - especially the Palestinians - stands to gain more. What’s also attractive about this approach is that it compels the Arab states to recognize that they are partly culpable for the Palestinian refugee issue and that they, like Israel, will benefit from its resolution.