Cairo: Foreign ministers from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the UAE have expressed profound concern over statements by Israeli authorities regarding plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing from one direction, which could force Palestinian residents to leave the Gaza Strip for Egypt. The ministers made their stance clear in a joint statement released by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the eight nations are firmly opposed to any attempts that would result in the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland. The statement emphasized their commitment to US President Donald J. Trump's plan to stabilize and reconstruct Gaza. This plan includes the reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions, ensuring that Gazans can choose to stay or leave without coercion.
The ministers expressed their appreciation for Trump's efforts to bring peace, security, and stability to the Gaza Strip and the broader Middle East. They underscored the importance of strengthening the ceasefire in Gaza, alleviating the residents' suffering, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid, and initiating post-conflict reconstruction promptly.
They also emphasized the need for the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, enabling it to fulfill its responsibilities and usher in a new era of security and stability in the region. The eight countries expressed their readiness to collaborate with the United States and other stakeholders to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and other related resolutions.
Moreover, the ministers called for efforts to establish a fair, comprehensive, and lasting peace based on UN resolutions and the two-state solution. This includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.