Trump Meets Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Presses U.S. Gaza Takeover Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ During a White House meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, President Donald Trump reiterated his controversial vision for Gaza, suggesting the U.S. could control and redevelop the region. His plan, which envisions hotels, office buildings, and a thriving economy, relies on neighboring Arab nations accepting Palestinian refugees. However, Jordan and Egypt have rejected the idea outright. Trump also warned that the Israel-Hamas ceasefire should end if all hostages are not freed by Saturday, increasing pressure on ongoing negotiations.
Trump’s Vision for U.S.-Controlled Gaza: Quick Looks
- Trump proposes U.S. authority over Gaza, envisioning a tourist and business hub.
- Jordan and Egypt have firmly opposed resettling large numbers of Palestinians.
- Trump claims the plan won’t require U.S. funds but offered no specifics.
- He backtracks on withholding U.S. aid to pressure Arab nations to comply.
- Trump also urges Israel to end the ceasefire if all hostages aren’t freed.
Trump Meets Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Presses U.S. Gaza Takeover Plan
Trump Meets Jordan’s King, Revives Gaza Control Proposal
President Donald Trump hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday, using the meeting to push his controversial plan for Gaza. Trump reaffirmed his vision of a U.S.-controlled Gaza, suggesting the area could be redeveloped with hotels, office buildings, and homes, turning it into a tourist destination.
His remarks echoed previous statements where he compared Gaza’s redevelopment to a high-end real estate project, saying, “I can tell you about real estate. They’re going to be in love with it.”
However, his vision hinges on Arab nations accepting large numbers of Palestinian refugees, a proposal that has been rejected outright by Jordan and Egypt.
Trump Backtracks on Withholding Aid as Leverage
However, on Tuesday, he walked back the threat, saying, “I don’t have to threaten that. I do believe we’re above that.”
Despite this shift, Jordan remains firmly opposed to resettling Palestinians, with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi calling Trump’s plan “firmly and unwaveringly rejected.”
U.S. Control Over Gaza? Trump Offers No Clarity
Trump suggested that the U.S. could take control of Gaza without funding its reconstruction but did not clarify how this would be achieved. “We’re not going to buy anything. We’re going to have it,” he stated, but left details vague.
His comments contradict statements from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House officials, who previously claimed that any U.S. role in Gaza would be temporary and focused on debris removal and reconstruction.
Trump Pressures Hamas, Questions Ceasefire Viability
In addition to his Gaza redevelopment vision, Trump also used the meeting to discuss the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, warning that it should be canceled if Hamas doesn’t release all hostages by Saturday.
“I don’t think they’re going to make the deadline,” Trump said. “They want to play tough guy. We’ll see how tough they are.”
The ceasefire is at a critical point, as Hamas accuses Israel of violating its terms and has paused planned hostage releases.
Trump Says U.S. Close to Agreement with Egypt on Gaza Resettlement
Trump expressed confidence that the United States and Egypt will reach an agreement to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, as part of his broader plan to take control of the region.
“The people currently living in Gaza will be moved to a new location where they can live beautifully and safely,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “They won’t have to endure constant violence or displacement every ten years.”
Trump emphasized his optimism about working with Egypt, saying, “I believe—maybe not 100%, but 99%—that we will finalize something with Egypt.”
Meanwhile, Jordanian King Abdullah, who is visiting Washington to meet with Trump, announced that Jordan would accept 2,000 sick children from Gaza, including those battling cancer and other serious illnesses.
“That’s a fantastic gesture,” Trump responded. “I wasn’t aware of that, but it’s really beautiful. We appreciate it. We’ll continue working with Egypt and Jordan, and I think you’ll see great progress from all of us. Others at a high level will also be involved, and we’ll get this done.”
Jordan and Egypt Remain Firm Against U.S. Plan
Jordan has been a key ally of the U.S. in Middle East diplomacy, hosting over 2 million Palestinian refugees already. Abdullah’s visit to Washington included meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as bipartisan lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
However, Jordan and Egypt have rejected Trump’s proposal on multiple grounds, citing concerns over:
- The two-state solution, which Trump’s plan could undermine.
- Security risks posed by a large influx of refugees.
- International backlash, as forcing Palestinians out of Gaza could be seen as ethnic cleansing.
Unanswered Questions on U.S. Role in Gaza
Trump’s vision for Gaza remains vague, raising key questions:
- How would U.S. authority over Gaza be established?
- Who would finance the reconstruction if not the U.S.?
- How would Gaza’s residents react to being displaced or governed by the U.S.?
As the crisis unfolds, Trump’s bold proposal faces stiff opposition, and the fate of Gaza’s governance and reconstruction remains uncertain.
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