Arab and Asian Countries Criticize Israel’s Intention to Reopen Rafah Crossing as Exit Route Only

The foreign ministers of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt have expressed their concerns over Israel’s announcement to reopen the Rafah border crossing in the coming days solely for the exit of Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt. They demanded that President Donald Trump’s proposed plan be respected, particularly its provisions regarding the maintenance of the crossing.
The ministers emphasized their willingness to work in coordination with the US and regional powers to ensure the implementation of the ‘Trump Plan.’ They also expressed their desire to move forward with its full application without delays to achieve security, peace, and regional stability.
Moreover, these countries reiterated the importance of upholding the ceasefire, allowing unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza, and initiating steps towards the recovery and reconstruction of the Palestinian enclave. They aim to enable the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities, paving the way for a new phase of security and stability in the region.
The joint statement comes after the Israeli government announced the reopening of the Rafah border crossing for outward travel only, with no agreement confirmed by Cairo on this matter. Israeli authorities stated that the reopening would follow a mechanism similar to the one used in January, when the EU supervised the mission to support the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
However, there are no details regarding the exact date of reopening or the possibility of return for those leaving Gaza. Egypt’s State Information Service clarified that any agreement to open the crossing would be bi-directional, allowing both entry and exit from Gaza, as outlined in Trump’s plan.
In October, Israel and Hamas agreed to implement the first phase of the proposal for Gaza’s future, though specific details remain unclear.