WATCH: At the White House, King Abdullah says Jordan will take in 2,000 sick children from Gaza

WASHINGTON — King Abdullah tells reporters Jordan will take in 2,000 sick children from Gaza ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump, who suggested yesterday that he might withhold aid to Amman and Cairo if they don’t take in Palestinians, as he seeks to “clean out” the Strip in order for the US to take it over.

King Abdullah notes that the question regional leaders are dealing with in responding to Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal is how to make it work in a way “that is best for everybody.”

While 2,000 is a small fraction of the nearly 2 million Trump is looking to permanently relocate, the president calls Abdullah’s proposal a “beautiful gesture,” as they take questions from reporters before starting their meeting in the Oval Office.

Asked about Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal, Abdullah responds, “Let’s wait until the Egyptians” present their own ideas.

Egypt has been tasked with leading much of the Arab world’s response to Trump’s Gaza initiative.

Trump says he’s “99%” sure something can be worked out with Egypt.

Trump demurs when asked about withholding aid to Egypt and Jordan, noting that the US gives both countries a lot of money.

However, he appears to suggest that he need not threaten either country. “I do think we’re above that.”

Asked about the situation in Gaza and Trump’s threat to “rain hell” on Hamas if all remaining hostages aren’t released by Saturday at noon, the US president responds, “I think it’s going to work out.”

“We’re going to run it very properly,” Trump says of his plan to take over Gaza, noting that hotels and other buildings could be built there.

“You’re going to eventually have peace in the Middle East,” Trump says, adding that Gaza has been a “death trap” to date.