Speaking at the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference in the Gulf state's capital, FM Abdelatty stressed that the crossing would remain open around the clock from the Egyptian side.

“There is no ethical or moral justification to displace the Palestinians. It's their homeland and they should be there,” the Egyptian FM said during the forum.

Abdelatty emphasised that the Rafah crossing operates continuously from the Egyptian side, and that the problem lies on the Israeli side, which keeps the crossing closed from its end, noting that Israel also controls five other crossings connecting it to the Gaza Strip and bears responsibility for opening them.

Israeli media have falsely claimed that coordination is underway to open the Rafah crossing in the coming days for Palestinians to depart the Gaza Strip, a claim the Egyptian foreign ministry and the State Information Service refuted.

During the session, titled “The Gaza Reckoning: Reassessing Global Responsibilities and Pathways to Peace,” Abdelatty further emphasized that Egypt would not administer Gaza, nor would any foreign power. He also urged Israel to open all border crossings to ensure aid reaches Gaza residents.

He called for a swift deployment of an international stabilization force (ISF), as stipulated in the second phase of the proposed peace agreement signed in Sharm El-Sheikh and the US-drafted UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

The Egyptian FM stressed the necessity of deploying this force along the "yellow line," to monitor the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

Abdelatty noted that implementing the resolution remains pivotal, particularly with regard to the role of the ISF as a peacekeeping force, noting that this force, together with the Palestinian technocratic committee and a Peace Board, constitutes temporary arrangements paving the way for the Palestinian Authority to resume its full responsibilities, within the framework of geographical contiguity between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

He stated the deployment is urgently needed due to daily ceasefire violations. "We need observers on the ground to ensure the truce is respected."

The Egyptian FM affirmed that consolidating the ceasefire is a top priority, as it is the essential gateway to an orderly transition to the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.

He pointed out that Trump’s plan stipulates the reopening of the Rafah Crossing in both directions; not for its use in one direction only, nor as a gateway for the displacement of Palestinians, or for linking it to any arrangements that undermine the Palestinian presence in the Strip.

The Egyptian FM further explained that this phase requires the adequate and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, as well as the launch of early recovery and reconstruction efforts, in a way that alleviates suffering and restores hope for Gaza's population.

Resolution 2803 endorses the ceasefire in place since October 10—brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US in Sharm El-Sheikh—and establishes a transitional governance body, the Board of Peace, to oversee administration and reconstruction through 2027.

It also authorizes an independent international security mission and outlines steps toward a possible future Palestinian state.

During the session at the Doha Forum, the Egyptian FM warned of the grave situation in the West Bank, amid escalating settler violence and ongoing land confiscations, stressing that this situation requires urgent international intervention to halt violations and prevent a further widening of tensions.

He affirmed Egypt’s commitment to continuing its efforts with various regional and international parties to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire and to support a process leading to a just settlement of the Palestinian cause, in accordance with international legitimacy, in a manner that achieves security and stability and preserves the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, the session was attended by Spanish FM José Manuel Albares and Norwegian FM Espen Barth Eide, during which they addressed the international community’s responsibilities toward Gaza and ways to advance efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace.