King of Jordan’s Warning — Implications of Trump’s Gaza Plan

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Aaryan Bora, Political Columnist         Hana Syed, Political Editor

The landscape of Middle Eastern diplomacy is experiencing a notable shift, with Jordan’s King Abdullah emerging as a prominent voice of caution. In a recent exclusive interview with the BBC, the King issued a pointed warning regarding President Donald Trump’s new ceasefire plan for Gaza, stating that no country is likely to volunteer for peace enforcement under the proposed framework. He questioned the mandate of security forces inside Gaza, emphasising that if the role involves coercive peace enforcement, it is a situation that many nations would prefer to avoid.


King Abdullah highlighted the critical distinction between peacekeeping and peace enforcement. Peacekeeping typically operates with consent and aims to support local institutions and reconstruction efforts. In contrast, peace enforcement involves using coercive measures to impose order, which can lead to significant conflict. For countries like Jordan and Egypt - with deep historical ties to the Palestinian cause - the latter approach is particularly concerning. The King articulated a clear stance: Jordanian troops patrolling Gaza with weapons would not be an acceptable scenario for the nation.

Trump’s proposed 20-point peace plan suggests that Arab nations and international partners should deploy stabilisation forces to Gaza to assist in training a new Palestinian police force and oversee the disarmament of Hamas. While this plan is presented as a comprehensive approach to ending years of conflict, significant gaps remain between the plan and the current realities on the ground; Hamas has yet to disarm, armed factions continue to operate in parts of Gaza, and Israeli airstrikes are still taking place. The existing ceasefire feels precarious, more like a temporary pause than a sustainable peace.

The King’s refusal to send Jordanian troops is driven by both political and practical considerations. Jordan is home to over 2.3 million Palestinian refugees, with a significant portion of its population of Palestinian descent. The deployment of Jordanian soldiers in Gaza risks perceptions of occupation or betrayal, a precarious position for a monarchy seeking to balance stability and empathy for Palestinian suffering. While he declines a military role, King Abdullah has played a vital humanitarian role - coordinating aid, medical evacuations, and international appeals to support Gaza.

For example, King Abdullah has actively sought assistance from President Trump to facilitate the evacuation of critically ill children from Gaza. While around 253 children have successfully reached Jordan and over 5,000 have been evacuated to countries like Egypt, the UAE, and Qatar, about a thousand remain trapped due to delays attributed to bureaucratic and political challenges. The World Health Organisation has described the evacuation process as “excruciatingly slow”, highlighting the tension between Israel's security measures and the humanitarian need for urgent action.

In terms of the moral dimension, Queen Rania of Jordan has made a compelling plea for action, emphasising the suffering of children in Gaza. In an interview with BBC Panorama, she lamented the world's inaction amidst Gaza's ongoing crisis, describing the daily horrors faced by Palestinians. Notably, she acknowledged Trump’s efforts in exerting pressure on Israel to cease hostilities, describing him as the first U.S. president in recent history to achieve a tangible cessation of violence.

The Queen’s remarks suggest a subtle shift in regional sentiments towards Washington, recognising that, despite the contentious nature of his approach, Trump has succeeded in fostering a temporary pause in violence and facilitating the release of hostages. The ongoing ceasefire has led to the exchange of 20 Israeli hostages for approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and a cautious reopening of humanitarian corridors. Nonetheless, the human toll remains staggering, with significant loss of life and an urgent need for sustainable solutions to the conflict in Gaza.

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