The U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down on his controversial plan for the United States to take control of Gaza during a White House meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II on Tuesday.

The proposal, which envisions displacing Palestinians and redeveloping Gaza into a "diamond" for economic gain, has heightened tensions in the region, with Jordan cautiously navigating its role amid mounting pressure.

"We're going to take it, we're going to hold it, we're going to cherish it," Trump declared, invoking his real estate background to frame Gaza as a potential "tremendous asset" for the Middle East. He claimed the plan would create "unlimited numbers of jobs and housing" for the region's people, asserting, "It's going to bring peace." However, critics, including Palestinian advocates, have condemned the proposal as a thinly veiled attempt to permanently displace Palestinians from their homeland, likening it to historical patterns of ethnic cleansing.

Trump's comments follow his earlier suggestion last week that the U.S. could level Gaza and rebuild it with hotels and housing, a vision that has been widely criticized as prioritizing economic exploitation over the rights and aspirations of Gaza's 2.2 million residents. In a recent Fox News interview, Trump explicitly stated that Palestinians resettled in neighboring countries would not be allowed to return, further fueling outrage among Palestinians who view Gaza as an integral part of their national identity.

King Abdullah II, under pressure to balance Jordan's interests with the plight of Palestinians, expressed reservations about Trump's plan. While agreeing to take in 2,000 sick Palestinian children from Gaza—a move seen as a humanitarian gesture—the king emphasized that broader discussions on Palestinian resettlement would require coordination with Egypt. "Wait for, I think, the Egyptians to present their plan on how we can work with the president to work on the Gaza challenges," he said, adding, "I have to look at the best interest for my country."

Jordan, already home to a significant Palestinian population, has repeatedly rejected proposals for forced resettlement, viewing them as destabilizing and a violation of Palestinian rights. The king's cautious stance reflects the delicate position of Arab nations caught between U.S. pressure and their commitment to Palestinian self-determination.

The meeting coincided with heightened tensions in Gaza, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark ultimatum on Tuesday. Citing the "shocking state" of three Israeli captives released Saturday under a fragile ceasefire agreement, Netanyahu threatened to resume genocidal war operations if Hamas does not free the remaining captives by noon Saturday. "If Hamas does not return our hostages, the ceasefire will end, and the IOF will resume intense fighting until the final defeat of Hamas," he said.

Netanyahu also revealed that he had ordered the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) to amass forces inside and around Gaza, signaling imminent escalation. "This action is being carried out at this hour and will be completed very soon," he added, raising fears of renewed violence in an already devastated region.

Palestinian leaders and advocates have condemned Trump's plan as a blatant violation of international law and a betrayal of their right to self-determination. The proposal, which aligns with calls from Israel's far-right for the displacement of Palestinians, has been likened to ethnic cleansing by human rights organizations. 

The international community, including the United Nations, has warned that forced displacement from occupied territory is illegal under international humanitarian law. Critics argue that Trump's plan not only undermines Palestinian statehood but also risks destabilizing Jordan and Egypt, key U.S. allies, by imposing unsustainable refugee burdens.

As Trump's Gaza takeover plan faces mounting resistance, the region braces for potential escalation. Netanyahu's threats to resume fighting, coupled with the IOF's military buildup, threaten to unravel the fragile ceasefire, further endangering Palestinian civilians already reeling from 15 months of conflict. Meanwhile, Jordan's limited humanitarian commitment underscores the broader challenge of addressing Gaza's humanitarian crisis without compromising Palestinian rights.

The coming days will be critical, with Egypt's anticipated response and Hamas's stance on the hostage ultimatum likely to shape the trajectory of the conflict. For Palestinians, Trump's vision of a "diamond" in Gaza represents not peace, but the erasure of their homeland—a prospect they are determined to resist. (ILKHA)