Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns ceasefire will end if hostages not returned on Saturday Trump doubles down on controversial Gaza plan at meeting with Jordanian king in Washington
The visit comes after Hamas announced that it intends to postpone future hostage releases, accusing Israel of violating the Gaza ceasefire Trump has proposed that the US take control of Gaza and turn it into ‘the Riviera of the Middle East’
Jordan’s King reiterates ‘steadfast’ opposition to Gaza displacement
Following a meeting with US President Donald Trump, Jordan’s King Abdullah II reiterated his country’s “steadfast” position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, adding that “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 wrote on X.
Abdullah II also said that achieving a just peace based on the two-state solution is the way to ensure regional stability.
“This requires US leadership. President Trump is a man of peace. He was instrumental in securing the Gaza ceasefire. We look to US and all stakeholders in ensuring it holds,” he added.
A week ago, Trump proposed that the United States “take over” and level the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, relocate the nearly 2 million Palestinians living there, and engage in a massive reconstruction effort to create the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump meeting Jordanian king doubles down on Gaza resettlement plan
US President Donald Trump hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House and reiterated his proposal that Gaza be emptied of its residents, eventually to be controlled by the US and redeveloped as a tourist destination.
“We’re going to take it. We’re going to hold it, we’re going to cherish it. We’re going to get it going eventually, where a lot of jobs are going to be created for the people in the Middle East,” Trump said in the Oval Office.
Trump also said that he thinks Jordan and Egypt would ultimately agree to take in displaced Gazans.
“I believe we’ll have a parcel of land in Jordan. I believe we’ll have a parcel of land in Egypt,” said Trump. “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.”
Trump also said he would not personally develop property in Gaza as he pushes for the United States to take control of the Palestinian territory.
Abdullah II, who is leading Arab opposition to the US president’s takeover plan, has told Trump that his country is ready to accept some 2,000 sick children from war-torn Gaza.
On Monday, Trump suggested that he could cut US aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refused to take in more Palestinians from Gaza.
Speaking to reporters before a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah, US President Donald Trump said he does not believe Hamas militants will meet a Saturday deadline to release all hostages.
Earlier, Trump had threatened that “all hell” will break loose if the militant group does not release the Israeli hostages by Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “intense fighting” would resume in Gaza if Hamas did not return hostages by noon Saturday, without specifying whether he was referring to all captives, or only the three that had originally been planned for release.
The ceasefire was called into question when Hamas claimed Monday that Israel had violated key provisions, prompting it to cancel the release of three more hostages on Saturday.
“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) will resume intense fighting until Hamas is decisively defeated,” Netanyahu said in a video statement issued after a meeting with his security cabinet.
After Netanyahu’s statement, the Israeli military said it would deploy additional forces south.
“It was decided to increase reinforcements with additional troops, including reservists”, the IDF said in a statement on Tuesday, adding the move was “carried out in preparation for various scenarios.”
