Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his proposal for the U.S. to take control of the Gaza Strip, as he met with Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House on Tuesday.
This was their first meeting since Trump announced his plan to assume control of the enclave and relocate its two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries, including Jordan.
Earlier this week, Trump suggested he could withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt unless they agreed to accept Palestinians from Gaza.
Jordan, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East and already home to millions of Palestinians, has rejected the proposal. Following their meeting, King Abdullah reiterated Jordan's "steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians."
However, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office with King Abdullah seated beside him, Trump doubled down on his stance, despite widespread international criticism.
"We're going to take it. We're going to hold it. We're going to cherish it," Trump said about Gaza.
He claimed that a U.S. takeover of the war-torn territory would create "a lot of jobs" and transform it into an economic asset.
"I think it could be a diamond," he remarked, adding that he now believes the U.S. no longer needs to pressure other countries into supporting the plan.
King Abdullah remained silent as Trump repeated his proposal, which challenges decades of U.S. foreign policy and could constitute a violation of international law prohibiting the forced transfer of populations.
Jordan has firmly rejected the idea, citing international law, but has also expressed concern over its capacity to absorb more Palestinian refugees.
Addressing the possibility of hosting additional displaced Palestinians, King Abdullah stressed the need for a solution that benefits all parties. He stated that Jordan would accept 2,000 Palestinian children in need of medical care.
Trump, however, remained firm in his position, insisting that Jordan and Egypt should contribute to resettling Palestinians.
"I believe we'll have a parcel of land in Jordan. I believe we'll have a parcel of land in Egypt," he said. "We may have someplace else, but I think when we finish our talks, we'll have a place where they're going to live very happily and very safely."
Egypt has outright rejected Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians. In a statement on Monday, its foreign ministry emphasized that any plan should prioritize the reconstruction of Gaza while ensuring Palestinians remain on their land, in accordance with their legal rights.
The statement further expressed Egypt’s willingness to engage with the Trump administration on a broader peace plan but cautioned against any foreign intervention that could jeopardize regional stability.
King Abdullah echoed these concerns following his White House meeting. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he described his conversation with Trump as "constructive" but reaffirmed Jordan’s opposition to forced displacement.
"I reiterated Jordan's steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank," he wrote. "This is the unified Arab position."
"Rebuilding Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be the priority for all," he added.
Jordan already hosts millions of people of Palestinian descent, including those whose families were forced from their land when Israel was established in 1948. The country has also absorbed large numbers of Syrian refugees and remains heavily dependent on U.S. economic and military support.
The United Nations has warned that any forced removal of civilians from occupied territories is a violation of international law and could constitute ethnic cleansing.
When asked about the UN's warning, Trump sidestepped the issue.
"We're moving them to a beautiful location where they can have new homes, where they can live safely, where they can have doctors and medical care," he said.
During the meeting, King Abdullah suggested that discussions should continue and that both sides should wait for Egypt to present its alternative plan.
Egypt's proposal, reportedly backed by other Arab states, is believed to focus on the future governance of Gaza. Though still being developed, the plan may involve establishing a local Palestinian administration composed of non-partisan technocrats, excluding factions like Hamas.
Since unveiling his plan alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, Trump has repeatedly reinforced his commitment to acquiring and governing Gaza.
In a recent Fox News interview, Trump asserted that Gaza’s two million residents would be permanently resettled and would have no right to return.
"They wouldn’t, because they’d have much better housing," he said. "I’m talking about building a permanent place for them."
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