Islamabad (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has sharply criticized Israel’s decision to allow only the outward movement of Gaza residents through the Rafah crossing, describing the move as a direct breach of the peace plan that halted the recent fighting.
According to the Foreign Office, Dar discussed the situation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a phone call on Friday, with both leaders reviewing the rapidly shifting regional landscape, especially developments in Gaza.
The FO said Dar condemned Israel’s “unilateral” restrictions at Rafah, warning that the step undermines humanitarian access at a time when Gaza’s needs remain severe. Both sides reiterated their resolve to push for uninterrupted aid deliveries and to continue diplomatic coordination aimed at securing durable peace.
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Meanwhile, negotiations on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire remain stalled, even as the truce grows increasingly fragile. Under the first phase of the agreement, Israeli forces withdrew on October 10 to positions that still left them in control of more than half of Gaza.
The arrangement also required the release of all detainees held by Hamas or allied groups, alive or deceased, along with a significant increase in humanitarian supplies.
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Although all surviving prisoners were freed by October 13, one body is believed to remain inside Gaza. Israel is now insisting that the return of those remains is a prerequisite for moving forward to the second phase of talks, which involve mediators from the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye.
Separately, Egypt is preparing to host an international conference on Gaza’s reconstruction, focusing on urgent humanitarian and recovery needs, though a date has yet to be announced.
