Arab Leaders Reject Trump’s Gaza Plan Amid Fragile Hostage Deal

King Abdullah II of Jordan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reiterated on Wednesday their rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to displace Gaza’s population, emphasizing the need to rebuild the area. This comes as the Israeli hostage deal hangs by a thread and the IDF prepares for the possibility of intensified fighting with Hamas.

Their statement, issued after a phone call between the two leaders, follows King Abdullah’s visit to the White House and his meeting with Trump, who expects Jordan and Egypt to take in most of Gaza’s 1.9 million Palestinians. Under Trump’s plan, the U.S. would assume control of the Gaza Strip, rebuild it, and transform it into what he has described as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Palestinians, however, would not be allowed to return.

While media reports described the Trump-Abdullah meeting as highly tense—reflected in the King’s body language—the White House characterized it as “warm and productive.” In a statement, it said: “The two leaders also discussed the President’s goal of ensuring that Gaza is rebuilt beautifully after the conflict ends and providing options for the people of Gaza that allow them to live in security and dignity, free of Hamas’s tyranny.” The statement did not specify where displaced Gazans would be expected to live.

Trump’s proposals for Gaza have sparked outrage across the Arab world. President al-Sisi announced that he would not travel to Washington as long as the plan remained on the agenda. On Wednesday, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called the plan “unacceptable,” adding, “It’s unacceptable for the Arab world, which has fought this idea for 100 years.”

The Israeli hostages in Gaza

Against this backdrop and after several days of uncertainty, Arab media reported this morning that three more hostages are set to be released on Saturday as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, reports confirmed hours later by Hamas. Earlier this week, Hamas accused Israel of “violations” and claimed that the hostage release would not take place. 

Last Saturday, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben-Ami, and Or-Levi were released from Hamas captivity in dire condition after nearly 500 days of torture in the terror group’s underground tunnels. Their deteriorated state—evoking painful historical memories for many in Israel—sent shockwaves through Israeli society and reached the White House. In response, Trump announced that he now expects Hamas to release all 76 remaining hostages, including those who are deceased.
"As far as I'm concerned, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock, I think it’s an appropriate time. I would say, cancel [the deal], and all bets are off—let hell break out,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials echoed Trump’s ultimatum, demanding the release of all hostages—not just three—by Saturday and threatening to resume fighting in Gaza if this did not happen. However, after a series of conflicting statements, Israel has since backed down from this demand, ending up with a confused, unclear message. 

the fate of Israeli hostages is tied to the larger power struggles in the region, with Hamas leveraging them as bargaining chips amid shifting international alliances. As Israel, the U.S., and regional actors weigh their next moves, it is evident that no single event occurs in isolation—each decision has the potential to reshape the region’s balance of power. And while Trump's Gaza transfer plans seems far from feasible - often times, it's the rhetoric itself that makes all the difference.