Islamabad (TDI): A group of leading Muslim and Arab states issued a strongly worded joint statement on Friday, making it clear that they “absolutely reject” any attempt to remove Palestinians from their homeland.
The declaration came as Israel announced it would open the Rafah crossing unilaterally to let civilians leave Gaza, a step Egypt immediately dismissed, arguing that the enclave’s blockade must be lifted in both directions if there is to be any genuine relief for its population.
Cairo has warned that facilitating a mass outflow of Palestinians would amount to forced displacement, insisting instead on full compliance with the US-brokered peace framework, which calls for unimpeded humanitarian access.
For months, Rafah, Gaza’s primary gateway to the outside world not directly controlled by Israel, has been sealed off, cutting off badly needed aid and worsening the humanitarian crisis for its 2.3 million residents.
Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar voiced alarm over what they described as attempts to use Rafah as a pressure tool to push Palestinians out.
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“The Ministers underscore their absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land,” the statement said. It stressed the need to honour provisions of President Donald Trump’s proposed plan, including keeping Rafah open in both directions, guaranteeing freedom of movement, and ensuring that no resident of Gaza is forced to leave. Instead, it calls for creating conditions that would allow Palestinians to remain on their land and contribute to rebuilding their homeland.
The ministers also highlighted the urgency of maintaining the ceasefire, allowing uninterrupted humanitarian aid into Gaza, and moving quickly toward recovery and reconstruction. These steps, they said, are essential for enabling the Palestinian Authority to resume governance responsibilities in the Strip.
Emphasizing the need for regional calm, the ministers urged the swift and complete implementation of the “Trump Plan” to secure long-term stability and prevent further escalation.
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They reaffirmed their governments’ commitment to working with the United States and other international partners to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and related resolutions. According to the statement, achieving a “just, comprehensive, and lasting” peace hinges on creating the right political conditions and safeguarding the two-state solution.
Ultimately, the ministers reiterated that any viable settlement must lead to an independent Palestinian state along the pre-June 4, 1967 lines, encompassing Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
