Jordan puts its foot down: "We will go to war to prevent mass migration"

Jordan has issued a stark warning that it would consider declaring war on Israel if Palestinians are forcibly displaced into its territory, according to sources close to the Jordanian Royal Palace. Arab media outlets report that U.S. President Trump's calls to "empty the Gaza Strip" have sparked particular shock and anger within the kingdom, elevating concerns about potential displacement scenarios.

The warning, while acknowledging Jordan's military disadvantage against Israel, underscores the kingdom's view of such displacement as an existential threat. Sources close to the Royal Palace explicitly stated that "The Jordanian authorities harbor no illusions about defeating Israel, but the transfer of Palestinians to its territory represents an existential threat."

Recent military movements highlight the seriousness of these concerns. Since the start of the war in Gaza, both Jordan and Egypt have deployed significant forces to their borders with Israel. These deployments are specifically prepared for scenarios where Gaza residents might attempt to breach borders and flee into neighboring countries.

The crisis has prompted urgent diplomatic activity, including emergency consultations between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan's King Abdullah II. The Palestinian Authority's reported "panic" and rushed meetings with Jordanian leadership show that they think it's a real possibility that Trump could ship hundreds of thousands of Gaza into Jordan.

Military analysts note the significant disparity between Jordanian and Israeli military capabilities. Jordan's armed forces are considerably outmatched by Israel's military in almost every parameter, and the kingdom remains heavily dependent on both Israel and the United States for its continued existence. The Egyptian military, which possesses significantly stronger capabilities than Jordan's, has not yet indicated whether it would intervene in such scenarios.

The broader context includes Jordan's historical position on Palestinian displacement. Having signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, Jordan has consistently opposed any policies suggesting it as an alternative homeland for Palestinians. King Abdullah II has repeatedly emphasized Jordan's commitment to a two-state solution, with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi explicitly rejecting discussions of alternative Palestinian homeland scenarios.

The situation reflects both immediate security concerns and deeper historical grievances. Jordan's stance is rooted in its experience as a host to a significant Palestinian population and its limited resources. The kingdom views any forced displacement as not only a violation of its peace treaty with Israel but also a direct threat to its demographic balance and stability.

The threat of war, while extreme, reflects Jordan's assessment that accepting forced Palestinian displacement would pose an even greater risk to its long-term stability than potential military conflict. This stance, despite the kingdom's military and economic dependencies, demonstrates the severity with which Jordan views any potential forced population transfers into its territory.