President Trump proposed during a meeting with King Abdullah II that Gaza could be emptied and controlled by the U.S. as a tourist area, implying that Jordan and other nations might need to accept more refugees. The plan faces opposition from Jordan, which insists on its firm rejection, and raises concerns about regional stability and the rights of Palestinians. Meanwhile, Trump expressed doubts about Hamas meeting their deadline for hostages, with potential implications for the ceasefire.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in the White House and reiterated his controversial proposal regarding Gaza. Trump suggested that Gaza could be depopulated and transformed into a tourist zone under U.S. control, contingent on Arab nations accepting more refugees. He implied that U.S. aid could be leveraged to compel Jordan and Egypt to accept more Gaza residents, contradicting his previous statements about not withholding aid.
During the meeting, Trump characterized his vision for Gaza without necessitating significant financial investment from the U.S., saying it could become a thriving area with new infrastructure, despite not clarifying the details of U.S. governance over it. He emphasized, “We’re not going to buy anything. We’re going to have it,” envisioning an exciting redevelopment that would attract residents.
Trump also voiced skepticism over Hamas’ potential to meet their deadline for releasing hostages, suggesting that the possibility of canceling a ceasefire could arise if Hamas did not comply. He noted, “I don’t think they’re going to make the deadline, personally,” as tensions remained high regarding the ceasefire situation.
The idea of the U.S. taking control of Gaza and relocating its residents met resistance. Jordan has opposed this plan, with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stating that the country’s stance is “firm and unwavering.” Both Jordan and Egypt have expressed security concerns about accommodating large numbers of refugees.
In previous comments, Trump had indicated that U.S. intervention might include deploying troops to secure the area but assured that no funding would be directed towards Gaza’s reconstruction, posing practical questions about his proposed plan’s feasibility. Following Trump’s assertions, his administration clarified that the relocation of Palestinians would be “temporary” to facilitate reconstruction efforts.
President Trump’s meeting with King Abdullah II has reignited discussions regarding his controversial proposal for Gaza. The plan, suggesting the depopulation and U.S. control of Gaza, raises significant political and humanitarian concerns, especially around refugee resettlement and regional stability. Jordan and other Arab nations have firmly opposed the idea, citing risks associated with increasing Palestinian populations in their territories.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
