Overview
- Israel’s COGAT announced Rafah would open in the coming days exclusively for residents to leave Gaza, contingent on Israeli security clearance and coordination with Egypt.
- Egypt publicly denied working with Israel on a one-way opening and said any agreement must permit movement in both directions.
- Foreign ministers of the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar issued a joint statement rejecting any expulsion of Palestinians and urging full adherence to President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
- The ministers called for sustaining the ceasefire, ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access, launching early recovery and reconstruction, and enabling the Palestinian Authority to resume responsibilities in Gaza.
- Rafah, the only Gaza crossing not directly controlled by Israel, has been largely shut for months, severely restricting life-saving aid and civilian movement.