Pakistan, other Muslim states reject Israel's plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar issued a strong joint rebuke against recent proposals by Israel to open the Rafah Crossing solely as a one-way exit from the Gaza Strip.

The foreign ministers warned that such a move would effectively facilitate the expulsion of Palestinians from their land. 

In their joint communiqué, they rejected “any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land” and called for strict adherence to the peace initiative proposed by Donald J. Trump, which envisages the Rafah crossing remaining open in both directions.

That, they said, is essential to preserve the right of Gaza residents to stay, move freely, and participate in rebuilding their homeland. 

The statement highlighted the urgent need to maintain the ceasefire, ensure unregulated entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, begin reconstruction efforts, and restore civilian governance under the Palestinian Authority. 

Furthermore, the eight-nation bloc reiterated its commitment to the full implementation of UNSCR 2803 and other relevant UN Security Council resolutions, aiming for a just, sustainable peace and a two-state solution based on the 4 June 1967 borders, with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem as its capital. 

By voicing this unified position, the countries signaled their readiness to coordinate with the United States and regional and global stakeholders to prevent what they described as forced demographic changes, and to press for a negotiated settlement that safeguards Palestinian rights while ensuring stability and humanitarian relief.