February 11, 2025
I finally see somebody that can take us across the finish line to bring stability, peace and prosperity to all of us in the region.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, commenting to the press after meeting with President Trump.
Why It Matters: Jordan’s King Abdullah met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, February 11. The meeting follows Trump’s call for the relocation of Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt and his stated goal to “take over” Gaza — a plan that the Jordanians rejected.
What To Know:
- Big Picture: Before the ceasefire, 15 months of war stretched between Hamas, a terrorist group based in Gaza, and Israel. The war has virtually destroyed Gaza, leaving most of its approximately 2 million residents homeless and without basic needs met.
- Last week, during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump said the U.S. will “take over” Gaza and rebuild the narrow strip of land. He said other countries in the Middle East, like Egypt and Jordan, should take in Palestinians who live in Gaza. Many questions remain about the details of this plan.
- Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, rejected President Trump’s plan for Gaza, saying last week the nation’s opposition to the U.S. president’s plan is “firm and unwavering.”
Backstory:
- Conflict over land in the Middle East predates the current war between Israel and Hamas.
- On October 7, 2023, Hamas led a terrorist attack on Israel — launching the attack from Gaza, beginning the current war.
- Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement on January 17, 2025, which took effect on January 19, 2025. So far, 16 of the 33 hostages set to be freed in the first 42 days of the deal have been released.
- Hamas is set to release more Israeli hostages on Saturday, but on Monday announced they would delay the next hostage release after accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement over what a spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing calls, “delays in allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, targeting them with airstrikes and gunfire across various areas of the Strip, and failing to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid as agreed.” (AP)
- Pres. Trump said Monday that if Hamas doesn’t release all hostages in Gaza by midday Saturday, he would push to cancel the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and “let hell break out.” President Trump reiterated his comments on Tuesday, saying, “They want to play tough guy. We’ll see how tough they are.”
Read More: Trump hosts Jordan’s king and renews insistence that the US can control and redevelop Gaza (AP)
President Trump Says “All Hell Will Break Out” If Hostages Are Not Released (CNN)
Image Credit: La Daily News Via X
by Jalen Meyerpeter, Based in Arizona.
