On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Jordan’s King Abdullah II announced that a significant consensus exists among Arab and Muslim leaders regarding a ceasefire plan for Gaza proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The statement was made during a high-level meeting with former prime ministers at Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman, where discussions centered on regional developments and the outcomes of the king’s recent visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
King Abdullah described his New York trip as “productive,” emphasizing Jordan’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and security amid escalating regional tensions. According to a statement released by the royal court, the king underscored Jordan’s proactive role in collaborating with Arab and international partners to refine the details of President Trump’s comprehensive Gaza ceasefire proposal, which was unveiled during a multilateral meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders the previous week.
The king noted that many elements of Trump’s plan align closely with previously agreed-upon frameworks among regional leaders, signaling a potential pathway toward de-escalation in the war-torn Gaza Strip. While specific details of the discussions remain limited, the royal court’s statement highlighted Jordan’s dedication to fostering stability and peace in the region through coordinated diplomatic efforts.
Trump’s 21-Point Peace Plan: A Framework for Gaza
On September 25, 2025, President Trump presented a detailed 21-point peace plan to Arab leaders during a multilateral summit, aimed at addressing the protracted conflict in Gaza. According to media reports, the plan outlines several key objectives, including:
Permanent Ceasefire: A commitment to halting all hostilities in Gaza to create a sustainable pause in violence.
Release of Hostages: The immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Governance Without Hamas: A proposal to establish a new governance structure in Gaza that excludes Hamas, focusing on rebuilding civilian institutions.
Gradual Israeli Withdrawal: A phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip, contingent on security guarantees and compliance with ceasefire terms.
The plan has been described as ambitious, aiming to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term political challenges in the region. However, Arab leaders, while endorsing significant portions of the proposal, have advocated for additional provisions to ensure a balanced and sustainable resolution.
Arab Leaders’ Response and Proposed Additions
Regional diplomats, speaking to CNN, revealed that Arab leaders expressed broad support for Trump’s initiative but emphasized the need for specific guarantees to address longstanding concerns. Among the additions sought by Arab leaders are:
Safeguards Against West Bank Annexation: Clear assurances that Israel will refrain from annexing territories in the West Bank, a contentious issue that has historically fueled tensions.
Preservation of Jerusalem’s Status Quo: Commitments to maintain the existing religious and political arrangements in Jerusalem, particularly regarding holy sites sacred to Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
Increased Humanitarian Aid: A robust plan to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including food, medical supplies, and infrastructure support to address the enclave’s dire conditions.
Addressing Israeli Settlements: Measures to curb the expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied territories, which are widely viewed as a barrier to peace.
These proposed additions reflect the Arab leaders’ desire to ensure that any ceasefire agreement is comprehensive, addressing not only the immediate crisis in Gaza but also broader issues that have perpetuated the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The urgency of a ceasefire is underscored by the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the Israeli military campaign has exacted a devastating toll. Since October 2023, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have resulted in the deaths of over 66,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, according to regional health authorities. The relentless bombardment has reduced much of Gaza to rubble, rendering the enclave largely uninhabitable.
Homes, schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure have been destroyed, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The blockade of essential supplies, including food, clean water, and medical resources, has led to widespread starvation and the outbreak of diseases such as cholera and polio. The United Nations and international aid organizations have repeatedly warned of an impending humanitarian catastrophe, calling for immediate action to alleviate suffering and restore basic services.
The scale of the destruction has drawn global condemnation, with human rights organizations accusing Israel of disproportionate use of force and violations of international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, the Israeli government has maintained that its operations target Hamas militants and infrastructure, accusing the group of using civilians as human shields.
Jordan’s Role in Regional Diplomacy
King Abdullah’s remarks underscore Jordan’s pivotal role as a mediator and advocate for peace in the Middle East. As a key regional player with historical ties to the Palestinian cause, Jordan has consistently emphasized the need for a just and lasting resolution to the conflict. The kingdom’s custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem further amplifies its stake in ensuring that any peace agreement respects the city’s delicate status quo.
During his visit to New York, King Abdullah engaged with world leaders, including U.S. officials, to rally support for a comprehensive approach to the Gaza crisis. His discussions focused on aligning international efforts with Arab priorities, particularly the need for humanitarian relief and a clear path toward Palestinian self-determination. The king’s emphasis on Jordan’s readiness to protect its sovereignty also reflects concerns about the potential spillover effects of regional instability, including the risk of heightened tensions along its borders.
Jordan’s coordination with Arab and Muslim leaders is part of a broader effort to forge a unified stance on the Gaza crisis. The kingdom has worked closely with Egypt, Qatar, and other regional powers to facilitate dialogue and broker humanitarian agreements in the past. By endorsing key aspects of Trump’s plan while advocating for additional guarantees, Jordan aims to bridge gaps between international proposals and Arab priorities, fostering a framework that addresses both immediate and long-term challenges.
The Broader Context of the Conflict
The Gaza conflict, which escalated dramatically in October 2023, is rooted in decades of unresolved tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. The blockade of Gaza, imposed by Israel and Egypt since Hamas took control of the enclave in 2007, has stifled economic development and restricted the movement of goods and people. Periodic escalations of violence, including rocket attacks by Palestinian militants and Israeli retaliatory strikes, have perpetuated a cycle of destruction and suffering.
The Trump administration’s latest peace initiative follows a history of U.S.-led efforts to broker peace in the region, with varying degrees of success. Previous proposals, such as the 2020 “Peace to Prosperity” plan, faced significant resistance from Palestinian leaders and Arab states due to their perceived bias toward Israeli interests. The current 21-point plan appears to take a more inclusive approach, incorporating input from Arab leaders to address concerns about Palestinian rights and regional stability.
However, the plan’s success hinges on several factors, including Israel’s willingness to implement its provisions and the ability of Palestinian factions to agree on a unified governance model for Gaza. Hamas’s exclusion from the proposed governance structure remains a contentious issue, as the group continues to wield significant influence in the enclave despite its designation as a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., and other Western countries.
Challenges and Prospects for Implementation
While Trump’s ceasefire plan has garnered cautious optimism from Arab leaders, its implementation faces significant hurdles. The Israeli government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has yet to publicly endorse the proposal, and domestic political pressures may complicate its adoption. Hardline factions within Israel’s coalition government have historically opposed concessions to Palestinians, particularly regarding settlements and territorial control.
On the Palestinian side, the absence of a unified leadership poses a challenge to implementing a new governance model in Gaza. The rivalry between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, has long undermined efforts to present a cohesive negotiating front. Additionally, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands immediate action, and any delay in delivering aid could further erode trust in the peace process.
International support will also be critical to the plan’s success. The United Nations, European Union, and other global actors have called for an end to hostilities and increased humanitarian assistance, but disagreements over the terms of a ceasefire and the future of Gaza’s governance remain unresolved. The involvement of Arab states, particularly those with diplomatic ties to Israel, such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, could help bridge divides and lend legitimacy to the agreement.
The Path Forward
King Abdullah’s endorsement of a broad agreement among Arab and Muslim leaders signals a potential turning point in the Gaza conflict. By aligning with key elements of Trump’s plan while advocating for additional safeguards, Arab leaders are seeking to balance immediate humanitarian needs with long-term political objectives. The emphasis on preventing West Bank annexation, preserving Jerusalem’s status quo, and addressing Israeli settlements reflects a commitment to addressing the root causes of the conflict.
For Jordan, the stakes are particularly high. The kingdom’s stability is closely tied to the broader regional dynamics, and a failure to address the Gaza crisis could exacerbate tensions within its borders, where a significant portion of the population is of Palestinian descent. King Abdullah’s diplomatic efforts underscore the need for a coordinated international response that prioritizes humanitarian relief, security, and a viable path toward a two-state solution.
As discussions continue, the international community will be closely watching the next steps. The success of Trump’s 21-point plan will depend on the willingness of all parties—Israel, Palestinian factions, Arab states, and global powers—to make difficult compromises. While challenges remain, the broad agreement among Arab leaders offers a glimmer of hope that a ceasefire, coupled with meaningful reforms, could pave the way for a more stable and peaceful future in Gaza and beyond.
In conclusion, King Abdullah’s remarks at Al Husseiniya Palace highlight the potential for a unified Arab stance on the Gaza crisis, building on President Trump’s ceasefire proposal. By addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and longstanding political grievances, the plan represents a critical opportunity to break the cycle of violence and lay the groundwork for lasting peace. However, the road ahead will require sustained diplomatic efforts, mutual trust, and a commitment to addressing the complex realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
