Israeli Warnings: Trump’s Gaza Plan and Jordan Tensions Threaten Regional Stability

Watan-Unofficial Israeli sources continue to warn of the consequences of Trump’s ideas about seizing Gaza and displacing Gazans, as well as his bullying of Arab leaders—such as what happened in the White House with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. They caution that current and future peace agreements are at risk and that destabilizing Jordan could create a continuous jihadist front stretching from the Jordan River to Afghanistan.

In an editorial titled “Peace Agreements in Danger,” Haaretz warns against Trump’s statements and ideas, arguing that the forced displacement of Gaza’s population is an empty but explosive notion capable of undermining peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. The newspaper suggests that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s postponement of his White House visit is a clear message that, despite Trump’s threats, Cairo remains firm in rejecting any cooperation with plans to expel Palestinians from Gaza.

Haaretz further criticizes Trump’s behavior, stating: “Trump believes that everything can be bought with money. However, at the upcoming Arab summit on the 27th of this month, Arab states will provide an economic safety net for Egypt and Jordan.”

The Hebrew newspaper expresses hope that the historical fact that former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin (Likud) signed the landmark peace agreement with Egypt will deter elements within Likud and the Zionist right from jeopardizing the Camp David Accords. It warns that the collapse of peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan could lead to the downfall of the Abraham Accords and completely eliminate the prospect of normalization with Saudi Arabia.

Therefore, Haaretz argues that Trump’s plan belongs in the trash bin of history.

The editorial concludes: “To preserve and expand peace agreements, Netanyahu and Trump must change course: stop undermining political and diplomatic stability and work to strengthen peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan.”

Warnings from Military Experts

Several retired Israeli generals have also warned that relocating hundreds of thousands of Gazans to Jordan and Egypt would be playing with fire. Military affairs analyst Amos Harel and retired General Amos Gilad both argue that Trump’s policies are destabilizing Jordan, a country they describe as a strategic asset for Israel.

In an interview with Israel’s Channel 13 on Thursday, Gilad reiterated his warnings, stating that “pressuring Jordan in various ways could lead to its collapse. If that happens, Israel will find itself facing a 300-kilometer jihadist front stretching from Beit She’an in the Jordan Valley to Afghanistan in the east.”

Trump: Israel’s Greatest Threat

In an opinion piece titled “Friend of Israel? Trump is Its Greatest Enemy,” Haaretz left-wing columnist Gideon Levy warns that Trump’s ideas could plunge Israel into chaos, destabilizing the region and threatening everything.

Levy criticizes the Israeli left for its silence, writing: “If Trump were to propose establishing death camps inside Gaza, what would happen then? Israel’s response would likely mirror its reaction to the idea of mass deportation: euphoria on the right, indifference in the center, and the opposition leader offering to help Washington implement its plan. Benny Gantz, a fellow opposition member, would likely call Trump’s ideas ‘creative and intriguing.'”

Igniting the Middle East

Meanwhile, Israeli radio and TV host Avi Shushan, in a Thursday Maariv article, warns that humiliating Jordan’s King Abdullah II could ignite the entire Middle East.

Shushan argues that Trump’s bullying behavior toward the Jordanian king—inside the White House and in front of his son, Prince Hussein, during a live broadcast—could mark the beginning of the end for the Hashemite Kingdom, potentially sparking a coup in Jordan. He suggests that Syria’s past turmoil could serve as a model for Jordan’s future unrest.

Shushan also highlights the danger of undermining a head of state like King Abdullah, stating that such an act invites internal contempt for his leadership. He notes that “it is no coincidence that, following his harrowing meeting with Trump, the king quickly contacted top security and military officials, calling for heightened vigilance, increased security measures, and demonstrative arrests to counter any potential fallout from the ominous scenes at the White House.”

The Blink of an Eye

Israeli journalist and critic Rogel Alpher also comments on the White House meeting, echoing earlier concerns but focusing on the human aspect. Defending King Abdullah II, he writes:

“The king’s excessive blinking in response to Trump was justified—it may be the most justified blinking in history. I feel for the king. His meeting with Trump exposed his membership in the club of those who blink excessively under stress. Let us blink in peace. I personally blinked excessively throughout my childhood. It’s easier to blink freely when you’re a king—no one asks nasty questions or bullies you for it. If the king says the twitching is due to a neurological issue rather than a psychological one, no one in the kingdom dares to question it.”

Jordan’s Reaction and Public Fury

King Abdullah II is set to return to Amman today, where many Jordanians believe “Trump has declared war on us… we do not want U.S. aid.”

Public outrage against the U.S. is mounting, with harsh rhetoric emerging in Jordanian political circles. During a heated parliamentary session on Wednesday, Speaker of the House Ahmad Safadi called on lawmakers to organize a grand public reception for the king upon his return from Washington. This initiative was also endorsed by media activists, MPs, and leaders of popular movements.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has publicly praised Jordan’s firm stance against the forced displacement of Palestinians.