On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, a meeting took place at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Jordanian King Abdullah II, addressing several key issues related to the Middle East, most notably Trump’s proposed plan for the Gaza Strip.

Details of the meeting:

• Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip: President Trump reaffirmed his controversial plan regarding control over the Gaza Strip, suggesting that the United States take over the management of the area and transform it into a tourist attraction. The plan includes relocating Gaza's residents to neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt, a proposal that has met widespread rejection.

• King Abdullah II’s stance: King Abdullah did not provide substantive comments on Trump’s initiative or the issue of accepting additional refugees, but he emphasized the importance of cooperation with other Arab countries, noting that Egypt will soon present a plan on how to address the challenges of Gaza. He also mentioned Jordan's readiness to welcome 2,000 sick children from Gaza for treatment.

Press conference:

During the joint press conference, President Trump stated that the United States would take control of the Gaza Strip, affirming that "Gaza will be ours and we will take care of it." He added that Palestinians could live safely in places other than Gaza, indicating the possibility of providing land in Jordan and Egypt for them. He also expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with Egypt regarding this plan.

For his part, King Abdullah II confirmed that Arab countries would provide a plan regarding the future of Gaza, stressing the need to consider everyone’s interests. He mentioned that Jordan is prepared to receive 2,000 children from Gaza to treat them.

Reactions:

• Jordanian and Egyptian rejection: The plan was met with outright rejection from Jordan and Egypt, as both confirmed their unwillingness to accept additional numbers of Palestinian refugees.

• International criticism: The plan faced severe criticism from the international community, as it was considered a violation of international law and a form of ethnic cleansing.

Trump’s threats:

• Cutting aid: Trump threatened to cut U.S. aid to Jordan and Egypt if they did not agree to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza.

• Ending the ceasefire: Trump announced that he would cancel the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel if Hamas did not release all hostages by noon next Saturday.

King Abdullah's position:

King Abdullah did not provide substantive comments on Trump’s initiative or the issue of accepting additional refugees, but he emphasized the importance of cooperation with other Arab countries, noting that Egypt will soon present a plan on how to address the challenges of Gaza.

Summary:

These developments come at a critical time, as the international community seeks to maintain stability in the region and avoid a new escalation. Trump's plan for controlling Gaza and resettling its residents remains a topic of extensive debate, with continued opposition from Arab countries and the international community.