Overview
- Foreign ministers from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement on December 5–6.
- The statement rejects any expulsion or transfer of Palestinians from Gaza into Egypt, asserting that residents must remain on their land.
- The ministers demand the Rafah crossing operate in both directions to ensure freedom of movement and to prevent forced displacement.
- Their declaration follows Israel’s announcement that Rafah would reopen only for exits to Egypt under EU Border Assistance Mission supervision, echoing a mechanism used during a January 2025 truce.
- They urge implementation of President Donald Trump’s plan and UNSCR 2803, calling for a sustained ceasefire, unrestricted aid, Gaza reconstruction, and a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital.