On Saturday, President Donald Trump expressed his desire for Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations to increase their acceptance of Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip.
He suggested this could potentially facilitate the relocation of a significant portion of the population, effectively allowing for a comprehensive restructuring of the war-affected region.
During a 20-minute question-and-answer session with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump announced the lifting of his predecessor’s restriction on the transfer of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.
This decision alleviates a previous constraint aimed at minimizing civilian casualties during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which is currently under a fragile ceasefire.
“We released them today,” Trump stated regarding the bombs, noting that they had been awaited for an extended period.
In response to an inquiry about the rationale for lifting the ban, Trump indicated, “Because they purchased them.”
Throughout his political career, Trump has maintained a staunch pro-Israel stance. He elaborated on his broader vision for Gaza, mentioning a recent conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan and a forthcoming discussion with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt.
“I would like Egypt to accept individuals from Gaza,” Trump remarked, estimating that the number could be around one and a half million.
He emphasized the need to “clean out that whole area and declare the situation ‘over.'”
Trump commended Jordan for its successful acceptance of Palestinian refugees and conveyed to the king, “I would appreciate your willingness to take on more, as I am currently assessing the situation in the Gaza Strip, and it is indeed a considerable challenge.”
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, former President Trump’s remarks arrived at a tense moment when thousands of Palestinians were hoping to return to northern Gaza on Sunday as part of a negotiated cease-fire agreement.
However, Israeli forces prevented their entry, citing the failure of Hamas to release a civilian hostage, Arbel Yehoud, as stipulated by the terms of the deal on the preceding Saturday.
An Israeli official confirmed this stance, underlining that the refusal to allow the return of Palestinians was a direct consequence of Hamas not complying with the agreement.
Both Israel and Hamas have been engaged in a mutual blame game, with each side accusing the other of breaching the cease-fire conditions.
As of Sunday morning, there was no update from Hamas regarding the condition of the 26 remaining hostages that were supposed to be released within the initial weeks of the phased agreement.
An Israeli official indicated that an update was anticipated from the militant group on Saturday, but it did not materialize.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the situation has been equally dire. There is an ongoing, separate agreement intended to bring an end to the conflict with the Hezbollah militia.
However, a delay in the Israeli military’s withdrawal from certain villages has resulted in tragic consequences.
At least 11 individuals have lost their lives, and over 80 others have sustained injuries, according to reports from the Lebanese Health Ministry.
This violence erupted when some residents attempted to return to their homes in areas still occupied by Israeli forces.
Adding to the complexity, Israel has requested an extension of the previously established 60-day deadline for its troop withdrawal.
The White House has expressed support for this extension, citing concerns that the Lebanese army has not yet fully deployed in these areas, leaving a security vacuum that could exacerbate tensions on the ground.
