Trump Pushes Jordan to Take Gazans; King Rejects Plan
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Jordan’s King Abdullah on Tuesday and urged him to accept Palestinians from Gaza as part of Trump’s plan for the U.S. to take over the war-torn area. However, King Abdullah made it clear that Jordan strongly opposes moving Palestinians out of Gaza, according to Reuters.
Trump’s plan involves permanently relocating Gaza’s residents and turning the destroyed territory into a luxury destination he calls the “Riviera of the Middle East.” This idea has upset many in the Arab world, as it would prevent Palestinians from returning to their homes.
During their meeting at the White House, Trump said, “We’re going to take Gaza, hold it, and cherish it. We’ll create jobs and bring peace to the region.” But King Abdullah later posted on social media that Jordan’s position is firm: Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank should not be displaced. He added that rebuilding Gaza and helping its people should be the top priority.
Despite the king’s stance, Trump claimed that Jordan and Egypt would eventually agree to take in Gazans. Both countries rely on U.S. aid, but Trump said he wasn’t using aid as a threat. “We give a lot of money to Jordan and Egypt, but I don’t have to threaten them. I think we’re above that,” he said.
Reuters reports that King Abdullah avoided directly supporting or opposing Trump’s plan during the meeting. Instead, he offered to bring 2,000 sick children from Gaza to Jordan for medical treatment, which Trump praised. The king also hinted that Arab nations would present their own plan to rebuild Gaza without displacing its people.
Jordan is already home to over 2 million Palestinian refugees, making the issue very sensitive. The country’s leaders worry about the impact of adding more refugees. Meanwhile, Trump’s plan has caused tension in the region, especially during a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas recently stopped releasing Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of breaking the ceasefire deal. Trump warned that if Hamas doesn’t release all hostages by Saturday, the ceasefire could end. “All bets are off if Hamas doesn’t meet the deadline,” he said.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that most Americans (74%) oppose Trump’s plan for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and displace its people. Even among Republicans, opinions are split, with 55% against the idea and 43% in favor.
This report is based on information from Reuters, a trusted news source.
The situation remains tense as Trump’s plan faces strong opposition from Arab leaders and many Americans.
Credit : Reuters