Saudi Arabia and seven other countries reject displacement and insist on opening the Rafah crossing
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Qatar, in a joint statement, expressed their deep concern and categorical rejection of the Israeli statements regarding the opening of the Rafah crossing in only one direction, with the aim of forcing residents of the Gaza Strip to leave for Egyptian territory. This unified stance reaffirms the constants of Arab and Islamic policy toward the Palestinian cause and the protection of the national security of neighboring countries.
Rejecting the liquidation of the Palestinian cause
The ministers stressed their complete rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land, considering such steps to be a de facto liquidation of the Palestinian cause and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The statement emphasized the need for full adherence to the proposed international plans, including the plan of US President Donald Trump, which included opening the Rafah crossing in both directions to ensure the free movement of people and goods, not to displace them, while focusing on creating the appropriate conditions for Palestinians to remain in their homeland and participate in its reconstruction.
Historical context and regional risks
These statements are particularly significant given the historical sensitivity of the issue of displacement, which evokes memories of the Palestinian Nakba of 1948. The signatory states, especially Egypt and Jordan, view attempts at displacement as a red line that threatens Arab national security and regional stability. Depopulating the Gaza Strip will not end the conflict; rather, it will spread it to neighboring countries, jeopardizing existing peace agreements and plunging the region into a new cycle of violence and instability.
Regional stability and humanitarian aid
In a related context, the ministers reiterated their appreciation for international efforts aimed at establishing peace, emphasizing the importance of moving forward with the implementation of political obligations without delay. They stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the suffering of innocent civilians, and the guarantee of the unhindered and unconditional flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip . They also called for the commencement of early recovery and reconstruction efforts, enabling the Palestinian Authority to resume its functions in the Strip, thus laying the foundation for a new phase of sustainable security.
Horizons of a political solution
The ministers concluded their statement by affirming their countries' readiness to continue intensive coordination with the United States and the international community to ensure the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803 and related resolutions. They noted that the ultimate goal remains achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as the only way to end the conflict and achieve security for all.
