King Abdullah II of Jordan met with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss several pressing issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, economic cooperation, and the ongoing challenges posed by ISIS and al-Qaeda. During their meeting, King Abdullah agreed to accept refugees into Jordan, a significant development given Trump's previous calls for Jordan and Egypt to take in displaced individuals, which both countries had initially declined.
The meeting marked the first official interaction between Trump and Abdullah since the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Abdullah expressed optimism about the potential for stability in the Middle East under Trump's leadership, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address regional challenges. He proposed that Jordan could accept 2,000 sick children from the Gaza Strip, a gesture that Trump praised as "beautiful."
While discussing Gaza, Trump reiterated his plan for Gazans to resettle outside areas controlled by Hamas, asserting that the U.S. would not purchase Gaza but would oversee its development. He outlined ambitious plans for economic growth in the region, including infrastructure projects such as hotels and housing.
In addition, Trump addressed his deadline for Hamas to return hostages, expressing frustration over the condition of recently returned Israeli hostages. He characterized Hamas as bullies and indicated that the U.S. would not tolerate continued delays.
Before his meeting with Trump, King Abdullah engaged with various U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, as part of his trip aimed at strengthening Jordan-U.S. relations.