Muslim FMs 'concerned' about one-way Gaza exit

Express 'absolute rejection' of attempts to expel Palestinians from war-torn territory

ISLAMABAD:

The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar expressed their deep concern regarding the Israeli statements concerning the opening of the Rafah crossing in one direction, with the aim of transferring residents of the Gaza Strip into Egypt.

Israel announced on Wednesday it would unilaterally open the Rafah crossing to allow residents to flee the Gaza Strip, a move swiftly rejected by Egypt as Cairo insisted on lifting the blockade in both directions to relieve the besieged Palestinian territory.

Egypt refused to facilitate what critics fear is the forced displacement of Palestinians, insisting on adherence to the terms of the United States-brokered peace plan, which mandates full humanitarian access.

The Rafah crossing, the only vital artery to the outside world for the residents of Gaza not controlled directly by Israel, has been shuttered for months, strangling the flow of life-saving aid.

According to the Foreign Office, the ministers underscored their absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land and stress the necessity of the full adherence to the plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, including its provisions on keeping the Rafah Crossing open in both directions, ensuring the freedom of movement for the population, and refraining from compelling any resident of the Gaza Strip to leave, rather to create the right conditions for them to stay on their land and participate in building their homeland, within a comprehensive vision aimed at restoring stability and improving their humanitarian conditions.

The ministers reiterated their appreciation for President Trump's commitment to establishing peace in the region, and emphasized the importance of moving forward with the full implementation of the "Trump Plan" without delay or obstruction, in order to achieve security and peace, and to consolidate the foundations of regional stability.

In this regard, the ministers underscored the need to fully sustain the ceasefire, alleviate civilian suffering, ensure the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip, initiate early recovery and reconstruction efforts, and create the conditions necessary for the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip — thereby laying the groundwork for a new phase of security and stability in the region.

The ministers affirmed their countries' readiness to continue working and coordinating with the United States and all concerned regional and international parties to ensure the full implementation of UNSCR 2803 and all relevant UNSC resolutions and to provide the convenient ground for achieving a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace in accordance with international legitimacy and the two-state solution, which should lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the lines of 4 June 1967, including the occupied territories in Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.