Saudi Arabia and seven countries reject forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza

Saudi Arabia and seven other countries have issued a joint rejection of plans to remove Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, condemning what they described as incitement to forcibly expel people from their land.

The statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt. They condemned statements by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz concerning the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

The ministers said the statements and proposals represented a serious violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, and a direct threat to the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. They rejected any attempt or plan to displace Palestinians, whether within the occupied Palestinian territory or outside it, and under any name or pretext.

They also warned of the dangerous consequences of turning calls for forced displacement into declared policy or practical measures aimed at uprooting Palestinians from their land. Such steps, they said, would directly challenge international efforts to achieve peace, including President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which the statement said includes an outright rejection of forced displacement.