Muslim and Arab countries, in a joint statement published on Friday, stressed their “absolute rejection” of any attempt to displace Palestinians from their lands.
Israel announced on Wednesday that it would unilaterally open the Rafah crossing to allow residents to flee the Gaza Strip, a move quickly rejected by Egypt as Cairo insisted on lifting the blockade in both directions to relieve the besieged Palestinian territory.
Egypt has refused to facilitate what critics fear is the forced displacement of Palestinians, insisting on compliance with the terms of the US-brokered peace. plan, that requires full humanitarian access.
The Rafah crossing, the only vital artery to the outside world for Gaza residents not directly controlled by Israel, has been closed for months, strangling the flow of vital aid.
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in a joint statement, expressed concern over the use of the Rafah crossing to expel Palestinians.
“The Ministers underline their absolute rejection of any attempt to expel the Palestinian people from their land and underline the need for full adherence to the plan proposed by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, including its provisions on keeping the Rafah crossing open in both directions, guaranteeing freedom of movement of the population and refraining from forcing any residents of the Gaza Strip to leave the Gaza Strip, instead creating adequate conditions for them to remain on their land and participate in the construction of their homeland, within a comprehensive vision aimed at restoring stability and improving their humanitarian conditions,” the statement reads.
The Foreign Ministers also stressed the need to fully maintain the ceasefire and ensure the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip. They urged prompt recovery and reconstruction efforts and the creation of the necessary conditions for the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip.
The top diplomats of Muslim countries also stressed the importance of fully implementing the “Trump Plan” without delays or obstacles, “to achieve security and peace and consolidate the foundations of regional stability.”
“In this regard, the Ministers underline the need to fully maintain the ceasefire, alleviate the suffering of civilians, ensure the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, initiate early recovery and reconstruction efforts and create the necessary conditions for the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, thus laying the foundation for a new phase of security and stability in the region,” the statement added.
The ministers also reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to working closely with the United States and all relevant regional and international parties to ensure the full implementation of UNSCR 2803 and other UN Security Council resolutions. They emphasized the importance of creating conditions conducive to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on international legitimacy and the two-State solution.
The ministers stressed that this should lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state similar to that of June 4, 1967, including the occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Dar speaks with his Saudi counterpart
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar sharply criticized Israel’s restriction on the Rafah border crossing to allow only Gaza residents to leave, calling it a “clear violation” of the peace plan that finally ended the fighting.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) said FM Dar held a phone call with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan today and discussed regional developments, particularly in Gaza.
“FM strongly condemned Israel’s unilateral plan to restrict the Rafah crossing only to the exit of Gaza residents, a clear violation of the peace plan and a measure that undermines humanitarian access.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring unlimited aid to Gaza and promoting coordinated efforts towards lasting peace,” the FO said.
Negotiations on the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire continue without significant progress at a time when the truce appears particularly fragile. AFP reported on Thursday.
The first phase included a withdrawal of Israeli forces on October 10 to a line that still gave them military control of more than half of Gaza, the release of all prisoners, dead or alive, held by Hamas or its allies, and an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Although all living prisoners were released on October 13, one body is said to still be in Gaza.
For now, the Israeli government demands that the remains of the last hostage be returned before talks on the second phase begin through the mediating countries: the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye.
Egypt will also host a conference on Gaza reconstruction that will focus on the territory’s humanitarian needs, but a date has not yet been set.
The process appears stalled primarily due to gray areas in the Trump plan.
