Trump, Jordan’s king discuss Gaza as he repeats takeover plan

Trump, Jordans king discuss Gaza in Washington as he repeats takeover plan — U.S. President Donald Trump greets Jordan’s King Abdullah II, right, at the White House, Washington, February 11, 2025. Photo: Reuters

WASHINGTON,— U.S. President Donald Trump restated his proposal for the United States to take control of Gaza and insisted that Jordan provide refuge for displaced Gazans, despite opposition from Jordan’s King Abdullah, according to officials familiar with the discussion.

During an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday, Trump defended his plan, which involves relocating Gaza’s population and transforming the war-ravaged enclave into what he described as the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

The proposal has drawn strong criticism across the Arab world, particularly due to Trump’s assertion that Gazans would not have the right to return to their homes.

“We’re going to take it. We’re going to hold it, and we’re going to make it something great,” Trump said, arguing that the move would generate jobs and “bring peace” to the region.

Despite King Abdullah’s reservations, Trump insisted that Jordan and Egypt would ultimately accommodate displaced Gazans. Both nations receive significant U.S. military and economic assistance.

“I believe we’ll have a parcel of land in Jordan. I believe we’ll have a parcel of land in Egypt,” Trump said. “We may have another location, but when our discussions are complete, we’ll have a place where they will live safely and happily.”

Trump denied using financial aid as leverage, though he acknowledged the substantial assistance Washington provides. “We give a lot of money to Jordan, and to Egypt as well—substantial amounts to both. But I don’t need to threaten that. We’re above that,” he said.

King Abdullah has previously stated his opposition to any efforts to annex land or forcibly displace Gazans. While the meeting between the two leaders appeared cordial, Trump’s remarks placed the Jordanian king in a difficult position, given the political sensitivities surrounding Gaza refugees in Jordan.

At one point, Trump appeared to prompt King Abdullah to express support for resettling people from Gaza. The king, however, maintained a cautious stance, saying only that Jordan would do what is best for its people and that Arab states would present a counterproposal to Washington.

“The point is how to make this work in a way that benefits everyone,” Abdullah said, without explicitly endorsing or rejecting Trump’s plan.

Jordanian officials, speaking ahead of the meeting, said they sought to avoid a public confrontation that would put King Abdullah in a difficult position. The discussion in the Oval Office was reportedly not part of a prearranged script.

The king was expected to caution Trump that such a move could fuel extremism, destabilize the region, endanger Jordan’s peace treaty with Israel, and threaten the country’s stability.

Also present at the meeting were Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and other senior officials.

Jordan, which borders Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, and the West Bank, already hosts over two million refugees from West Bank and Gaza among its population of approximately 11 million. Their presence has long been a sensitive issue for Jordan’s leadership.

Adding to regional tensions, Jordan is grappling with the Trump administration’s 90-day freeze on U.S. aid. While Israel and Egypt have received exemptions, Jordan’s annual $1.45 billion in U.S. assistance remains suspended pending a broader review of foreign aid programs.

Trump’s proposal has further complicated an already fragile situation, including ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas.

On Monday, Hamas announced it would halt the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza, citing Israeli violations of a previous agreement. In response, Trump suggested canceling the ceasefire unless Hamas freed all remaining captives taken on October 7, 2023.

“If Hamas doesn’t release them by Saturday, all bets are off,” Trump said Tuesday. “I don’t think they will comply.”

(With files from Reuters)