Arab and Muslim States Condemn Israel’s One-Way Rafah Exit Plan, Warn of Humanitarian Consequences

Arab and Muslim States Reject One-Way Rafah Exit Plan

Egypt, Qatar and six other Muslim-majority countries have strongly rejected an Israeli announcement that the Rafah border crossing would open only to allow Palestinians to exit Gaza, a step they say would bar returns and obstruct the flow of humanitarian aid.

Who responded: Foreign ministers from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement expressing "deep concern" after Israel’s military agency said the crossing would operate one-way "exclusively for the exit of residents from the Gaza Strip to Egypt."

The Israeli notice was issued by the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and said passage would be subject to Israeli "security approval" and coordinated with Egyptian authorities. The co-signatories said the measure violates obligations under a 20-point U.S.-led plan — a proposal associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump — and called for Rafah to be opened in both directions.

In their statement, the countries warned against any attempt to displace Palestinians from their land and urged Israel to implement the plan fully, including provisions to enable humanitarian access and the safe return of civilians. They also reiterated support for establishing a technocratic Palestinian government backed by a multinational stabilization force and overseen by an international "Board of Peace." The ministers urged that the plan proceed "without delay or obstruction."

Under the ceasefire framework that took effect on October 10 as part of that plan, Israeli authorities have cited security concerns — including the unresolved issue of captives and the need to coordinate with Egypt — for delaying a full reopening of Rafah. International and local rights groups report continued restrictions on aid and movement; efforts to recover remaining captives’ remains have been impeded by the extensive destruction across Gaza.

Fighting and Humanitarian Situation

Despite the ceasefire framework, officials and monitors reported renewed strikes and hostilities. Overnight into Saturday, at least 20 airstrikes were reported across the Gaza Strip, including in eastern Gaza City, the central al-Maghazi refugee camp and Rafah in the south. There were also reports of artillery shelling and heavy fire from tanks and aircraft near Israeli positions east of Khan Younis and Rafah, and a demolition operation inside the so-called yellow line in Beit Lahia.

Israeli naval vessels reportedly attacked Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of Khan Younis amid ongoing shelling. The Israeli military continues to control the southern and eastern belts of the Gaza Strip and large parts of the north — together covering more than half of the enclave’s area.

Humanitarian and casualty figures cited in the report place the Palestinian death toll since October 2023 at at least 70,125, with around 171,015 wounded. Rights groups and regional officials also report roughly 600 ceasefire violations in the past seven weeks.

The foreign ministers urged steps to enable the Palestinian Authority to resume responsibilities in Gaza and called for progress toward a sustainable, two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Note: This report reflects statements from regional foreign ministers, Israeli military announcements and widely cited casualty figures. Local conditions remain highly fluid and subject to ongoing diplomatic and security developments.