Today, Donald Trump is anticipated to encounter strong opposition from Jordan’s King Abdullah during their initial meeting at the White House, following Trump’s suggestion to resettle Gaza’s inhabitants in Jordan.

As a vital ally of the United States, Jordan has been delicately balancing its military and diplomatic alliances while managing domestic sentiments favoring the Palestinian cause.

The existing tensions, already stressed by the ongoing Gaza conflict, are nearing a critical point due to Trump’s proposals for peace regarding Gaza.

Expounding on his demand for relocating Gazans to Jordan and Egypt, Trump disclosed in an interview with Fox News that they would not possess the right to return, a stance that may violate international law if executed.

On Monday, he warned that he could potentially cut off aid to Jordan and Egypt if they do not accommodate Palestinian refugees.

Among the most vocal critics of relocating Gazans are those who had previously migrated here.

Approximately 45,000 individuals reside tightly packed in the Gaza Camp, close to Jerash, one of many Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan.

Corrugated iron sheets shield narrow shop entries while children navigate through market stalls on donkeys.

All families in this camp trace their ancestry back to Gaza, specifically to regions such as Jabalia, Rafah, and Beit Hanoun. Most departed after the Arab-Israeli conflict in 1967, intending to find temporary refuge, yet generations have passed and they remain here.

“Donald Trump is a self-centered narcissist,” declares 60-year-old Maher Azazi. “He has a mindset reminiscent of medieval tradesmen.”

Maher fled Jabalia as a young child. Some of his relatives remain there, sifting through the rubble of their home in search of 18 missing family members.

Despite the devastation, Azazi believes that Gazans today have learned from previous generations and would “prefer to jump into the sea than to leave”.

Those who once viewed leaving as a temporary solution now perceive it as playing into the hands of Israel’s far-right nationalists who aim to seize Palestinian land.

“We, the Gazans, have endured this before,” states Yousef, a camp-born local. “Back then, they assured us it was only for a short time, and we would return home. The right to return is a fundamental boundary.”

“When our ancestors left, they lacked the armament to resist, unlike Hamas now,” another man shares. “The younger generation is fully aware of our ancestral history, and they will not allow it to repeat. Now we stand firm in resistance.”

Palestinians are not the only ones seeking asylum in Jordan – a stable haven amid the tumult of the Middle East.

Over the years, Iraqis fled here escaping the wars of the early 2000s, with Syrians arriving a decade later. This prompted Jordan’s King to declare that his nation was nearing “a boiling point”.

Many Jordanians attribute rising unemployment and poverty to the influx of refugees. A food bank at a central Amman mosque reports distributing 1,000 meals daily.

Outside the mosque, we encountered Imad Abdallah and his friend Hassan, both day laborers who have not found work in months.

“Conditions in Jordan used to be excellent, but the wars in Iraq and Syria have worsened things, and now the conflict in Gaza has made it even more challenging,” Hassan expressed. “Every nearby war makes our situation more precarious because we are a nation that accepts and accommodates others.”

Imad’s concerns were straightforward, focused on supporting his four children.

“Foreigners come and take our jobs,” he lamented. “I’ve been without work for four months. I lack funds and food. If more Gazans arrive, it could spell disaster for us.”

However, Jordan values its relationship with the US. Trump has suspended more than $1.5 billion in annual US aid, putting further pressure on the country. Anticipation grows for potential clashes between the new US president and Jordan’s political leaders who are resisting his demands.

Jawad Anani, a former deputy prime minister with ties to the Jordan government, indicates that King Abdullah will convey a pivotal message to Trump: “Any efforts by Israel or anyone else to displace people from Gaza and the West Bank will be viewed as a criminal act. Moreover, attempts to force them into Jordan will be perceived as a declaration of war.”

Even in a scenario where Gazans wished to temporarily relocate as part of a broader Middle Eastern initiative, the mistrust remains palpable.

“Trust is nonexistent,” he stated. “With Netanyahu involved, there’s zero faith in any commitments made.”

Trump’s insistence on his vision for Gaza may force a critical decision upon this key US ally.

Last Friday, masses took to the streets to protest against Trump’s suggestions.

Jordan hosts US military installations, numerous refugees, and its collaboration on security is vital for Israel, which is concerned about smuggling routes into the occupied West Bank.

Threats to Jordan’s stability could also jeopardize the interests of its allies. Should Jordan maintain its stability, it stands as a beacon of resilience amid regional unrest.

Additional contributions: Mohamed Madi, BBC News