In a unified chorus of outrage, the foreign ministries of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt have vehemently condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statements suggesting the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt.
These remarks, made amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip, have ignited fresh diplomatic tensions, drawing accusations of violating international humanitarian standards and undermining long-standing peace efforts.
As the conflict enters its second year, with devastating human costs mounting, regional powers are rallying in solidarity with Egypt and the Palestinian people, urging global intervention to halt what they describe as a policy of forced expulsion and collective punishment.
Saudi Arabia’s Staunch Denunciation and Call for Global Action
Saudi Arabia led the charge with a strongly worded statement from its foreign ministry, labeling Israel’s alleged plans to displace Gaza’s residents as a flagrant violation of international laws, principles, and humanitarian norms.
The Kingdom accused Israeli forces of employing siege tactics and starvation as tools to coerce displacement, framing these actions as deliberate breaches designed to erode Palestinian resilience.
In a show of unwavering support, Saudi Arabia declared its “full solidarity with the brothers in Egypt” on this critical issue.
The statement emphasized that no justification could excuse the forced removal of Palestinians from their homeland, calling upon the international community—particularly the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—to intervene decisively.
“The Kingdom urges an immediate halt to Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and a categorical rejection of their displacement, regardless of any pretext,” the ministry asserted.
This position underscores Riyadh’s broader commitment to Palestinian rights, positioning the Kingdom as a key advocate for regional stability amid escalating hostilities.
Qatar’s Critique: A Continuation of Occupation and Undermining Peace
Echoing Saudi sentiments, Qatar’s foreign ministry described Netanyahu’s comments as emblematic of Israel’s persistent disregard for Palestinian rights and international agreements.
In a detailed rebuke, Doha portrayed the remarks as “malicious attempts to undermine prospects for peace, particularly the two-state solution,” which has long been a cornerstone of diplomatic efforts in the region.
Qatar highlighted Israel’s broader strategy of “collective punishment,” including the brutal ongoing war in Gaza—characterized by the ministry as a “genocide”—alongside crimes in the West Bank, violations of holy sites, settlement expansions, efforts to Judaize Jerusalem, and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid.
“These policies will not succeed in forcing the Palestinian people to abandon their land or relinquish their legitimate rights,” the statement affirmed defiantly.
Qatar’s response reflects its role as a mediator in past ceasefires and hostage negotiations, now strained by the intensifying conflict.
This condemnation comes against a backdrop of mounting international scrutiny. Israel faces genocide and war crime allegations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), with proceedings examining military operations that have ravaged Gaza since October 2023.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israeli actions have resulted in over 64,300 Palestinian deaths—predominantly women and children—and more than 162,000 injuries.
The destruction extends to homes, hospitals, schools, and essential infrastructure, displacing most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and triggering a famine that has claimed 373 lives, including 134 children.
Egypt’s Firm Stance: Rafah Crossing as a ‘Red Line’ for Displacement
Netanyahu’s specific reference to the Rafah crossing—suggesting Palestinians could exit Gaza only to be blocked by Egypt—drew particularly sharp rebuke from Cairo.
In an interview, the Israeli leader accused Egypt of “imprisoning against their will residents in Gaza who want to leave a war zone,” a claim Egypt dismissed as inflammatory and baseless.
For nearly two years, Egypt has steadfastly rejected U.S.-Israeli proposals to evacuate Gaza’s population toward the Sinai Peninsula, viewing such schemes as existential threats to Palestinian sovereignty.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has repeatedly declared Palestinian displacement a “red line” that Egypt will not cross, urging Palestinians to “remain steadfast on their land” to prevent the “liquidation of the Palestinian cause.”
In recent statements, Sisi reiterated Egypt’s role as a “gateway for aid to Gaza, not for displacement,” emphasizing humanitarian support over forced migration.
Egypt’s foreign ministry elaborated, portraying Netanyahu’s words as part of a calculated effort to “prolong escalation in the region and entrench instability” while evading accountability for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Cairo condemned Israel’s targeting of civilians, infrastructure, and daily life as mechanisms to compel Palestinians to flee, reaffirming that Egypt “will never be a party to this injustice.”
The ministry called for activating international accountability mechanisms, noting that such “declared crimes” are increasingly exploited for political propaganda in Israel due to a lack of global justice.
In a plea for broader support, Egypt urged the UN Security Council and the international community to protect Palestinians, ensuring their presence on lands in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
It rejected any ultimatum forcing Palestinians to choose between bombardment, starvation, or expulsion, demanding an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
Jordan’s Resolve: Labeling Displacement a ‘War Crime’
Jordan joined the fray with unequivocal condemnation, branding Israeli displacement plans as a “war crime” that the Kingdom would confront “with all available means.”
Amman’s foreign ministry expressed full alignment with Egypt’s position, reinforcing a pan-Arab front against what it sees as existential threats to Palestinian statehood.
This stance aligns with Jordan’s historical custodianship over holy sites in Jerusalem and its large Palestinian diaspora, making displacement a deeply sensitive issue. King Abdullah II has previously warned of regional spillover, advocating for de-escalation and a return to negotiations.
Broader Implications: A Humanitarian Catastrophe and Calls for Accountability
The collective Arab response highlights the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel’s military operations have not only inflicted staggering casualties but also dismantled the enclave’s social fabric.
The famine, engineered through aid blockades and infrastructure destruction, exemplifies the “collective punishment” decried by critics.
With proceedings at the ICJ and ICC gaining momentum, these condemnations amplify calls for accountability, potentially influencing global diplomacy.
As tensions simmer, the international community faces mounting pressure to act. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt’s unified voice underscores a rejection of displacement narratives, framing them as incompatible with justice and peace.
Whether this diplomatic surge prompts meaningful intervention remains uncertain, but it signals a resolute defense of Palestinian rights amid one of the most protracted conflicts of our time.
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