On February 11, 2025, in an address to reporters in the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump stated that the militant group Hamas must release all hostages held in Gaza by midday on Saturday, or he would consider ending the ceasefire agreement with Israel and take more aggressive actions.

Trump voiced his dissatisfaction with the current situation regarding hostages and the announcement from Hamas that it would cease any further releases.

He emphasized, "We want 'em all back," pushing for a mass release rather than incremental arrangements.

In further remarks, Trump suggested a potential withholding of US aid to Jordan and Egypt unless these countries consent to accept Palestinian refugees being relocated from Gaza.

Trump's statements coincided with his planned meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan on February 12.

The President's comments were made amidst ongoing discussions about his proposal to take control of Gaza following a cessation of hostilities.

His plan includes a significant resettlement of the 2.2 million Palestinians currently living in the region, aiming to redevelop the area into what he termed the "Riviera of the Middle East." Trump clarified that under this proposal, Palestinians would not be allowed to return to Gaza, which stands in contrast to earlier positions held by his administration regarding temporary resettlement.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump expressed confidence in brokering deals with Jordan and Egypt, stating that the US provides substantial financial aid to these nations.

He articulated his vision of creating communities for the displaced Palestinians, suggesting that these would be positioned away from dangerous areas.

Trump's remarks have prompted significant backlash, with Palestinian representatives and regional leaders expressing concerns over the potential for increased regional instability.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior official within Hamas, described Trump’s statements regarding Palestinian rights as "irresponsible" and stated that such plans could further destabilize the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported Trump's proposal but indicated that Palestinians could return after the creation of infrastructure in Gaza.

However, ambiguity remains regarding the plans for their long-term status.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is preparing for his first Middle East trip, also commented that Palestinians would need to "live somewhere else in the interim" during the reconstruction phase, although he did not clarify if this would be a temporary or permanent measure.

The situation regarding the ceasefire remains precarious, as Hamas recently announced it would halt the release of Israeli hostages, citing Israeli infringements of the agreement.

Both Egypt and Jordan have voiced their opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians, with fears that such actions could lead to significant political fallout across the region.

The developments prompted meetings among leaders in the region, with Egypt's Foreign Minister articulating the collective support among Arab nations for Palestinians against Trump's relocation plans, which many view as proposals of ethnic cleansing.