Rubio talks to Jordan’s King Abdullah after Trump remarks on Palestinian displacement

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Jordan's King Abdullah on Jan 27, the State Department said, with the call coming two days after a suggestion by President Donald Trump that Jordan and Egypt should take more Palestinians from Gaza.

Mr Trump on Jan 28 floated a plan to "clean out" the war-ravaged territory of Gaza in comments that echoed long-standing Palestinian fears of being permanently driven from their homes.

Jordan and Egypt had pushed back over the weekend after Mr Trump said they should take in Palestinians from Gaza, where Israel's war has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.

Asked if this was a temporary or long-term solution for Gaza, he had said: "Could be either."

"The secretary and King Abdullah discussed implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of hostages, and creating a pathway for security and stability in the region," the State Department said in a statement.

Mr Trump's weekend remarks were not mentioned in the statement.

"Secretary Rubio thanked Jordan for supporting the ceasefire through its integral role in providing humanitarian assistance through the Jordan Corridor," the State Department added.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was

triggered on Oct 7, 2023

, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's subsequent military assault on Gaza killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and led to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies.

The fighting has currently paused amid a fragile ceasefire. REUTERS