Jordan’s King Abdullah II has agreed to take in 2,000 critically ill Palestinian children from Gaza, including cancer patients, in what appears to be a step toward President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to relocate the territory’s residents.
Trump praised Abdullah’s move as a “beautiful gesture” and expressed confidence that a broader resettlement deal could be reached. He claimed there was a “99%” chance of working something out with Egypt and hinted at other countries joining the effort.
Trump Pushes Gaza Resettlement Despite Global Backlash
Seated alongside Trump in the Oval Office, King Abdullah remained cautious, emphasizing the need for a solution that satisfies all parties. He avoided committing to a larger refugee intake, pointing to the already overwhelming number of Palestinian refugees in Jordan.
Trump’s proposal to take over and redevelop Gaza—including plans for hotels and new investments—has sparked global outrage. U.S. allies, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have outright rejected the idea. However, Trump has doubled down, insisting that Palestinians in Gaza “would love to leave” if given the option.
Trump: ‘We’re Going to Run It Very Properly’
Trump defended his vision for Gaza, calling it a “death trap” and a place where “they are living in hell.” He described his development plan as a way to bring “peace to the Middle East” and create jobs in the region.
Despite earlier threats to cut U.S. aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refused to cooperate, Trump walked back those comments, stating, “I don’t have to threaten that.” However, Jordan remains heavily reliant on over $1 billion in U.S. aid annually, making its position especially delicate.
Will Trump’s Plan Move Forward?
While Trump continues to push for Gaza resettlement, many U.S. allies remain staunchly opposed. Even Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman dismissed the idea within an hour of Trump’s initial remarks.
With a fragile ceasefire barely holding, Trump is also pressuring Hamas to release all remaining hostages by Saturday. If they fail to comply, he warned, “all hell” could break loose—leaving both the ceasefire and his resettlement plan hanging in the balance.
