Arab, Islamic Nations Reject Israel’s Exit-Only Reopening of Rafah Crossing
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and several Arab and Islamic countries have voiced deep concern over Israeli plans to unilaterally open the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt to allow Palestinians to leave the Strip.
Egypt rejected Israel’s statements regarding the Rafah Border Crossing, insisting that any movement through the crossing would be in both directions and in line with the peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump.
Arab-Islamic Firm Position
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Qatar expressed their deep concern over the Israeli remarks on opening the Rafah crossing in one direction, with the aim of transferring residents of the Gaza Strip into Egypt.
In a joint statement on Friday, December 5, 2025, the ministers reaffirmed their categorical rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.
They also underscored the necessity of the full adherence to US President Donald Trump’s plan, which includes opening the Rafah crossing in both directions and guaranteeing freedom of movement while ensuring that no one from the Gaza Strip is forced to leave.
Establishing Peace
The ministers emphasized the importance of creating the right conditions for Palestinians to remain on their land and take part in building their homeland, within the framework of a comprehensive vision for restoring stability and improving their humanitarian situation.
In the light of this, the foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic countries reiterated their appreciation for Trump‘s commitment to establishing regional peace and stressed the importance of implementing his plan in full, without delay or obstruction, to consolidate the foundations of regional stability.
Commitment to Trump’s Plan
In their statement, the ministers stressed the urgent need to adhere to Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. This includes a sustained ceasefire, an end to civilian suffering, unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, and the launch of early recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Furthermore, it includes the creation of conditions that will enable the Palestinian Authority (PA) to resume its responsibilities in Gaza, thus heralding a new phase of security and stability in the region.
In this context, the ministers reiterated Arab and Islamic countries’ readiness to continue cooperating and coordinating with the US and relevant parties to ensure the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2803 and other relevant resolutions.
They also reaffirmed their support for a just and lasting peace in accordance with international law and the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the June 4, 1967 borders, including the occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Rafah Crossing Dilemma
On Wednesday, Israel announced plans to unilaterally open the Rafah Border Crossing within days to allow Gaza’s residents to exit to Egypt, Israeli media reported.
The Israeli military body that oversees civil affairs in Gaza (COGAT) issued a statement saying that “in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and the directives of the political leadership, the Rafah Crossing will open in the coming days exclusively for the exit of residents from the Gaza Strip to Egypt.”
It claimed that exits through the crossing would be “facilitated through coordination with Egypt, following security approval by Israel and under the supervision of the European Union mission,” in a mechanism similar to one activated in January.
The crossing have been closed since May 2024, when Israeli forces seized the Palestinian side, claiming that it was being “used for terrorist purposes,” according to AFP.
Egyptian Rejection
Egypt, for its part, denied any coordination with Israel to open the Rafah Border Crossing in one direction.
The Egyptian State Information Service (SIS) cited an Egyptian official stating that “if an agreement is reached to open the crossing, it will be in both directions, to enter and exit the Gaza Strip, in accordance with the plan of US President Donald Trump.”
Under Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, the Rafah Border Crossing will be open in both directions in line with the same mechanism implemented under the January ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.
UN agencies and humanitarian organizations have long called for the reopening of the crucial border crossing, which serves as a vital entry point for humanitarian workers and aid trucks. It has also been the main exit point for Palestinians allowed to leave the besieged Strip.
