Egypt, Jordan persuade Trump to drop Gaza displacement plan

Egypt and Jordan believe they have successfully convinced US President Donald Trump to abandon support for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and instead back an Egyptian-led post-war plan for the enclave, a senior Egyptian official told Middle East Eye.

"This will be an Egyptian plan, adopted and supported by the Arab states," the official said. "That is what Trump has agreed to."

Speaking anonymously on Tuesday, the official said Jordan's King Abdullah II’s visit to Washington played a key role in changing Trump’s stance. Arab states, including Egypt, viewed the outcome of the meeting as a diplomatic victory.

"The closed meeting was very productive," the official told MEE.

King Abdullah avoided confronting Trump publicly about his reported proposal for the US to "take over" Gaza, but in private discussions, he warned that such a plan would provoke Islamic extremism and could even lead to the collapse of pro-US governments in the region.

Captives released in exchange for reconstruction equipment

Building on the diplomatic momentum, Egypt further gained Trump’s trust on Gaza-related matters by negotiating Hamas’s release of six captives on Tuesday—double the number required by the ceasefire agreement, the official said.

Hamas agreed to the release after Israel allowed heavy machinery into Gaza to begin reconstruction efforts. Israel also permitted the entry of mobile homes, which it had previously blocked. Hamas had earlier accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by withholding aid and had threatened to halt further prisoner releases in response.

Sisi heads for Riyadh for post-war talks

The official also confirmed that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is expected to travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday to discuss Egypt’s post-war governance plan for Gaza. Reuters first reported Sisi’s upcoming trip.

Trump’s earlier call for a US-led takeover of Gaza and the forced displacement of Palestinians triggered global outrage, including among key US Arab allies. Many feared the proposal would inflame tensions across the region and worsen the conflict between Israel and Gaza.