Trump appears to shift on Gaza saying he 'tasked' Arabs to draw up a plan

Former U.S. President Donald Trump instructed Arab nations to submit a plan regarding the Gaza Strip during a White House press briefing, a message announced by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt before the briefing concluded. This move closely followed Trump's meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, where the King privately expressed a firm stance, although he did not directly oppose Trump's views in public.

Leavitt told reporters that the King of Jordan preferred Palestinians to remain in place and utilize newly added land for new development, thereby creating unprecedented job opportunities. However, President Trump believed that it would be better and more courageous if these Palestinians could relocate to safer areas. Trump remains wholeheartedly committed to achieving peace in the Middle East and has requested that the region's Arab partners propose a peace plan for submission to the president.

A specific timeline has not yet been announced. Although Trump had previously mentioned clearing Gaza and building beach resorts, this move may indicate that he is now open to proposals from Arab governments. Trump had stated that he believes he is already fully aware of the relevant plans and thinks it will be "magnificent" for the Palestinians, who will "love it."

Previously, it was widely believed that Egypt was negotiating with major Arab countries to independently formulate an alternative Gaza plan, attempting to steer the U.S. President away from forcibly transferring populations and the U.S. "takeover" scheme. Now, Washington states that Trump requested them to do so. According to Al-Araby TV, citing Egyptian sources, a summit of leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia is planned before the "emergency meeting" on Gaza scheduled for February 27 in Cairo, with the specific date yet to be determined.

These sources revealed that Egypt's proposed plan includes rebuilding Gaza within three to five years without relocating its residents. Reportedly, the plan will proceed in two phases: clearing debris and then reconstructing residential areas. This effort will begin in Rafah, the southern Gaza city bordering Egypt, and then extend north, covering the entire Gaza Strip. The Egyptian Presidential Office issued a statement on Wednesday stating that Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reiterated in a call with King Abdullah of Jordan that Gaza must be rebuilt with its residents present.

Regarding the funding source for the plan, Al-Araby TV stated that Egypt is seeking the participation of the Arab world, the European Union, and the United Nations, excluding the United States. Trump's decision to "own" Gaza and develop it personally indicates that Washington does not want to use taxpayer money to rebuild Gaza unless it can derive economic benefits from it. Since Trump took office, officials in his administration have been significantly cutting foreign aid.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated earlier this week in an interview with Fox News that the leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia would soon visit the White House to discuss Gaza with Trump. However, Washington has not announced such meetings. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Sisi would forgo the visit if Trump does not change his plan to build a "Middle Eastern Riviera" in Gaza. Trump initially called on Egypt and Jordan to receive over 1.8 million Palestinians from Gaza.

Separately, the Financial Times cited a source on Wednesday stating that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan "postponed a planned trip to Washington" after Trump announced his plan. In recent days, Saudi Arabia has intensified its rhetoric towards the United States and Israel, especially after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested in an interview that Saudi Arabia possesses "vast territory" that it could simply give to the Palestinians. The Saudi press had already fiercely criticized Washington last week, stating that Saudi Arabia "does not accept bargaining or auctions" on the Palestinian issue and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Within hours of Trump's comments on Fox News on Sunday stating that Palestinians have no right to return to Gaza after the U.S. "takeover," Hamas announced that it would not release the seventh batch of hostages scheduled for Saturday. The group cited Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, including nearly 30 airstrikes, 9 sniper attacks, refusal to withdraw from agreed lines along the Philadelphi Corridor, failure to deliver mobile housing units, and blocking bank transfers. However, the timing of the statement's release was also seen as a response to Trump's remarks.

The White House said on Wednesday that Trump told King Abdullah of Jordan to ensure that Hamas understands "the gravity of the situation" if the hostages are not released by the Saturday deadline. Trump also stated that despite the agreement on a phased exchange of hostages in the ceasefire deal, he wants "all the hostages, including all Americans" released by Saturday and asked the King for help. It is currently unclear how much can be achieved. Egypt's Al-Qahera TV reported on Wednesday that Egypt and Qatar—the two Arab mediators between Israel and Hamas—are communicating with all parties to the Gaza ceasefire agreement while facing pressure from the U.S. and Israel to resume military operations.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that if the hostages are not released by Saturday, the government is prepared to carry out Trump's expulsion plan and warned of a "new Gaza war." But late Wednesday, far-right Israeli lawmaker and former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that even if Israel gets Trump's permission to "unleash hell," Hamas releasing three hostages—as previously agreed—"is enough." Hamas has stated that it will only continue to abide by the agreement if Israel does so as well. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said: "Our position is clear, we will not accept the threatening rhetoric from the United States and Israel." He added that the group's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, was already in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss "the implementation of the ceasefire agreement."