Egypt and Qatar, along with other countries, express concern about Israel’s plan to open the Rafah crossing. They fear the transfer of Gazans to Egypt.
Egypt and Qatar, along with six other predominantly Muslim countries, expressed concern on Friday about the possibility of opening the Rafah border crossing to move Gazans into Egypt. Israel reported on this on Wednesday. TASR refers to the AFP report.
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates “expressed deep concern over the statements by the Israeli side about the opening of the Rafah crossing in one direction in order to transfer the residents of the Gaza Strip” to Egypt, they said in a joint statement.
Plan to open the Rafah crossing
Israel’s Office for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Palestinian Territories (COGAT) announced on Wednesday that the move was to take place in the coming days “in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and the instructions of the political leadership”.
According to COGAT, Palestinians will be able to leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing in coordination with Egypt, after approval by Israeli security and under the supervision of a delegation of the European Union – just as in January, when a similar mechanism was activated. Cairo has denied coordinating with Israel to reopen the crossing.
Egyptian position and restrictions
An unnamed Egyptian government source said his country continued to insist that the border crossing must operate in both directions “for entry and exit from the Gaza Strip, in accordance with US President Donald Trump’s plan.”
Israel took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in May 2024, leading to a halt to both human transit and humanitarian aid. Egypt has refused to operate the crossing while the Israeli army is present on the Palestinian side.
