President Trump meets with the King of Jordan, repeats plan to take control of Gaza

President Donald Trump reiterated his statement on his plan for the United States to take control of Gaza and for the permanent shift of its inhabitants, while meeting with Jordan King Abdullah amid widespread objections to his plan by Washington's Arab allies, including Jordan.

Shortly after the king and his son entered the White House, journalists headed to Ovale Office, where President Trump signalled that he would not withdraw from his plan for the United States to take control of Gaza, to shift its shocked residents and transform war-torn territory.

We'll get it. We'll keep him and guard him. We'll take it eventually, we'll create a lot of jobs for Middle Eastern residents”He said Mr. Trump referring to Gaza. He added that his plan would “brings peace” in the region.

President Trump said he will consider whether to block Jordan's aid if this state refuses to accept the Palestinian housing.

King Abdullah in the past has said he rejects any steps for annexing territory and displacement of Palestinians.

Asked Tuesday if he would accept Palestinians, he said he would do his best for his country and said Arab states would come to Washington with a counter-proposal.

The question is how to make this work in a useful way for all”He said, without specifically saying whether he supports or rejects Mr. Trump's plan.

He was expected to say Mr. Trump that such an act would promote radicalisation, enhance chaos in the region, jeopardise peace with Israel and threaten the survival of his country.

Three out of four Americans -- 74 percent of them according to a Reuters and Ipso poll conducted on 7-9 February -- say they reject the idea of the United States taking control of Gaza and moving Palestinians living there. The poll shows that Republicans are divided over the issue, with 55 percent opposing it and 43 percent in its support.

President Trump's proposal has brought a new dimension to a sensitive regional dynamic, including the fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Hamas said on Monday he would stop the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza until a next announcement, accusing Israel of violating the deal to end the Gaza attacks. Then, President Trump proposed the annulment of the ceasefire unless Hamas release the remaining hostages, who were taken hostage on October 7th, 2023, until Saturday.

President Trump said Tuesday that “ %s will be unpredictable” If Hamas does not respect this deadline, adding that he does not think the Palestinian militant group will do so.

Jordan leans on American Aids

Jordan, a limited state with Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, and the occupied West Coast of 11 million people, currently houses over 2 million Palestinian refugees, whose status and number are a source of concern to the country's leaders.

Amman, who is highly dependent on Washington's military and economic aid, is also suffering from the 90-day aid blockade imposed by President Trump. The blockade has been removed for Israel and Egypt, but the $1.45 billion aid Jordan receives each year from the US remains frozen until the review of aid to other states by President Trump's administration.

King Abdullah “is in a very, very delicate position, in which the United States has a lot of weight”, says analyst Ghaith Al-Omar from the Near East Policy Institute in Washington.

But American aid to Amman “are not charity”, says Al-Omar, who explained that Jordan is the basis of American troops and their air vehicles, is an important partner for the exchange of intelligence information for Washington and the agreement for peace of Jordan and Israel, signed in 1994, is key to regional stability.

The king hopes these issues will balance the weight of President”It says Al-Omar. / VOA/