Egypt, Arab, and Muslim States Express Deep Concern over Israeli Statements on Rafah Crossing

Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have expressed deep concern regarding recent Israeli statements about opening the Rafah border crossing in a single direction to allow residents of the Gaza Strip to enter Egypt.

In a joint statement, the ministers firmly rejected any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land. They emphasized the necessity of full adherence to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan, which stipulates that the Rafah crossing should operate in both directions, ensuring freedom of movement for residents and preventing forced departures. 

The ministers highlighted the importance of creating conditions for Palestinians to remain on their land and actively participate in nation-building, as part of a comprehensive vision to restore stability and improve humanitarian conditions.

The ministers reaffirmed their appreciation for President Trump’s commitment to establishing peace in the region and stressed the importance of advancing the implementation of his plan in full, without delay or obstruction, to achieve security, peace, and a solid foundation for regional stability.

They also called for a complete and sustained ceasefire, the alleviation of civilian suffering, and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. The ministers urged the immediate commencement of early recovery and reconstruction efforts and the restoration of Palestinian Authority responsibilities in Gaza, laying the groundwork for a new phase of security and stability.

Finally, the ministers reiterated their countries’ readiness to continue working and coordinating with the United States and all relevant regional and international parties to ensure full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and other relevant council decisions. 

They emphasized the importance of creating an environment conducive to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in line with international law and the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967, borders, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem as its capital.