The Trump administration is preparing for high-stakes meetings with Arab leaders this week as President Donald Trump continues to push his controversial plan for U.S. “ownership” of Gaza.
Trump has escalated his pressure campaign, threatening to cut U.S. aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to accept displaced Palestinians under his Gaza redevelopment proposal.
On Tuesday, Jordan’s King Abdullah II will become the first Arab leader to meet with Trump since he returned to office last month.
Jordan, a key humanitarian corridor for Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict, already hosts millions of registered Palestinian refugees.
However, Trump’s plan calls for Jordan and Egypt to take in nearly 2 million more Palestinians, allowing Gaza to be “cleaned out” and transformed into what he calls “the Riviera of the Middle East” under U.S. management.
Trump’s proposal has sparked strong opposition from Middle Eastern leaders, including King Abdullah.
The Jordanian royal court issued a statement Wednesday, reaffirming Abdullah’s rejection of land annexation and forced Palestinian displacement:
“His Majesty King Abdullah II stresses the need to put a stop to [Israeli] settlement expansion, expressing rejection of any attempts to annex land and displace the Palestinians.”
Since Trump’s announcement, Abdullah has launched diplomatic efforts, holding urgent meetings with the U.N. and pro-Palestinian nations to build a united front against Trump’s plan.
Despite growing resistance, Trump remains undeterred.
In a weekend interview with Fox News, Trump doubled down, stating that Palestinians removed from Gaza would not have the right to return after reconstruction.
“No, they wouldn’t, because they’re going to have much better housing, much better,” Trump said. “I’m talking about building a permanent place for them.”
With tensions mounting, Trump’s threats to cut U.S. aid and his aggressive push for Gaza’s resettlement are expected to dominate upcoming diplomatic discussions, as Arab leaders and international allies scramble to counter his unprecedented proposal.
