President Donald Trump met with Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House to discuss a bold proposal to transform Gaza into a tourist destination. Trump suggested clearing out Gaza, controlling it, and redeveloping it as a resort area, a plan that would require buy-in from Jordan and other Arab nations. However, King Abdullah reiterated his opposition to accepting more Gazans into Jordan.
During the meeting, Trump hinted at the possibility of withholding aid to Jordan and Egypt if they did not agree to take in more Gazans, but later backtracked on this threat. Despite Trump's enthusiasm for the idea, Abdullah did not commit to accepting large numbers of Gazans into Jordan.
Abdullah did express willingness to take in 2,000 sick children from Gaza, emphasizing the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region. He also emphasized Jordan's stance against displacing Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.
Trump's vision for Gaza includes turning it into a vibrant area with new hotels, office buildings, and houses, under U.S. authority. However, his comments have been met with criticism from Hamas, who accused him of seeking to displace Palestinians and deny their national rights.
Trump's proposal also raised concerns about jeopardizing the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the security implications of accepting large numbers of refugees into Jordan and Egypt. Despite Trump's assurances that U.S. funds would not be used for reconstruction, questions remain about the feasibility and implications of his plan.
While Trump's plan for Gaza remains controversial, it underscores his administration's unconventional approach to the Middle East conflict. The meeting with King Abdullah highlighted the challenges and complexities of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while navigating regional politics and security concerns.
