Significant international condemnation has arisen following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements regarding the potential displacement of Palestinians, including through the Rafah crossing. Egypt and Qatar have been at the forefront of this criticism, strongly objecting to Netanyahu’s remarks concerning Gaza.
Qatar has been particularly outspoken, describing Netanyahu’s comments as further evidence of Israel’s disregard for Palestinian rights and international law. In a Friday statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) described the comments as an extension of the occupation’s approach to violating the rights of Palestinians, a blatant disregard for international laws, and a deliberate attempt to block opportunities for peace, particularly the two-state solution.
During an interview with the Israeli Telegram channel Abu Ali Express, Netanyahu discussed potential plans for rebuilding Gaza after the conflict. He also claimed that a substantial portion of the population wishes to leave Gaza, though he characterized this as not constituting mass expulsion. He added that he could open the Rafah crossing but believed that Egypt would immediately close it.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed that Netanyahu’s words reveal Israel’s broader strategy to seize land from Palestinians, warning of the potential for harm to peace and stability in the region. Qatar reaffirmed that Israel’s policy of collective punishment against Palestinians, including through military actions in Gaza, represents a continued pattern of crimes.
The statement from Qatar further asserted that the ongoing policy of collective punishment, including the current war in Gaza, actions in the West Bank, violations of religious sites, plans for settlement expansion, and restrictions on humanitarian aid, would not succeed in forcing Palestinians from their land or in confiscating their legitimate rights.
Egypt also strongly rejected these proposals, emphasizing its categorical opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians. The Egyptian ministry stated that such actions would violate international humanitarian law and potentially constitute war crimes. Furthermore, Egypt declared that it would not participate in such actions, viewing them as a ‘red line’.
