ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday condemned Israel’s plan to partially reopen the Rafah crossing only for fleeing residents of Gaza, describing it as a “clear violation” of the region’s peace plan.
US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza calls for Israeli authorities to let in humanitarian aid into the territory and open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt from both sides.
Israel, however, has continued to restrict the entry of aid, while a military unit called Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said this Wednesday the crossing will open in the coming days “exclusively for the exit of residents from the Gaza Strip to Egypt.”
Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, held a telephonic conversation with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss regional developments, particularly Gaza, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
“During the telephonic conversation, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister strongly condemned Israel’s unilateral plan to restrict the Rafah crossing for the exit only of Gaza residents, a clear violation of the peace plan and a move that undermines humanitarian access,” the state media said.
