Gaza Herald_ Mediators involved in the US-backed Gaza peace initiative issued a stark warning on Friday after Israel indicated it intended to reopen the Rafah crossing in a one-way direction, allowing Palestinians to exit but blocking their return.
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE condemned the move, saying Israeli statements revealed an attempt to pressure Palestinians into leaving Gaza under the weight of war and siege. They emphasized that Palestinians must not be stripped of their right to remain on their land.
Firm Rejection of Forced Removal from Gaza
In a joint statement, the ministers declared their absolute rejection of any policy or action that could result in the expulsion of Palestinians, stressing that displacement, whether direct or coerced, constitutes a violation of international law.
They urged that Rafah be opened in both directions, consistent with agreed-upon humanitarian standards and previous diplomatic frameworks. According to them, any arrangement that facilitates exit only serves to deepen fears of a new displacement similar to the Nakba.
Humanitarian Concerns and Egypt’s Position
Israel said on Wednesday that Rafah would be opened soon to allow Palestinians to depart the Gaza Strip. But Egypt firmly denied approving such a plan and insisted that the crossing cannot operate as a one-way gate. Aid groups echoed these concerns, warning that such an arrangement would block critical humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza and could accelerate the population’s vulnerability.
They stressed that the priority must be safeguarding Palestinians from forced removal and ensuring immediate, unhindered delivery of aid to a community already enduring catastrophic conditions.
