Indonesia Together With Arab-Islamic Countries Criticize The Opening Of One Direction Of Rafah Crossing

JAKARTA - Indonesia together with a number of Arab and Islamic countries criticized the opening of a one-way Rafah crossing on the Palestinian border with Egypt by Israel.

In a joint statement, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar were concerned about the opening of the crossing to move Gazans to Egypt.

"The Ministers underlined their absolute rejection of any attempt to expel Palestinians from their lands and stressed the need for full compliance with the plans proposed by United States President Donald Trump, including his provisions to keep Rafah Crossing open in both directions, guarantee freedom of movement for residents, and refrain from forcing Gaza Strip residents to leave, instead of creating the right conditions for them to stay on their soil and participate in building their homeland, in a comprehensive vision aimed at restoring stability and improving their humanitarian condition. , "said the joint statement, launching a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (6/12).

Earlier, Israel on December 3 announced that crossing gates in Rafah would be opened over the next few days, a move it claimed would allow the Palestinian enclave resident who needs medical treatment to seek treatment.

The Israeli military agency, which oversees humanitarian affairs (COGAT), said the opening of Gaza's main gate in Rafah would be coordinated with Egypt, under the supervision of European Union (EU) missions, similar to the mechanism used during the previous Gaza ceasefire agreed in January 2025.

However, based on 20 points in the ceasefire proposal between Hamas and Israel initiated by US President Donald Trump, the crossing will open in both directions.

The Ministers reiterated their appreciation for President Trump's commitment to building peace in the region, and stressed the importance of continuing to advance with the full implementation of the "Trump Plan" without delays or obstacles, in order to achieve security and peace, as well as strengthen regional stability foundations.

"In this case, the Ministers underlined the need to maintain a complete ceasefire, ease the suffering of civilians, ensure the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, initiate recovery and early reconstruction efforts, and create necessary conditions for the Palestinian Authority to continue its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip thus laying the groundwork for a new phase of security and stability in the region," the statement read.

"The Ministers affirm their country's readiness to continue working and coordinating with the United States and all relevant parties in the region and internationally to ensure the full implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 and all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, as well as providing a conducive foundation for achieving a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace in accordance with international legitimacy and a two-state solution, which will lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State in accordance with June 4, 1967, including the occupation areas of Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital," the statement concluded.