Peace deal mediators express concern about Israel opening Rafah crossing for Palestinians to leave

Mediators for the peace plan on Friday expressed concern that Israel was planning to open one of the main entrances/ exits in Gaza one-way.

The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates "expressed their deep concern regarding the statements issued by the Israeli side concerning the opening of the Rafah crossing in one direction with the aim of transferring residents of the Gaza Strip to" Egypt, they said in a joint statement.

The ministers voiced "their absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land" and said they were against "compelling any resident of the Gaza Strip to leave".

They urged for the crossing to be opened in both directions in accordance with US President Donald Trump's peace plan.

On Wednesday, Israel said it would open the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt to allow Palestinians to exit the Gaza Strip "in the coming days".

But Egypt said that it had not agreed to such a deal, insisting that the key crossing be opened in both directions.

Aid agencies have also expressed concern that the one-way opening of the crossing would not allow aid to enter.