Egypt and Qatar have sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over comments suggesting the displacement of Palestinians through the Rafah crossing, Al Jazeera reported.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called his remarks an attempt to fuel instability and evade responsibility for Israel’s actions in Gaza. It reiterated Cairo’s firm rejection of any forced or coerced displacement of Palestinians, warning such acts amount to war crimes under international law.

The ministry stressed that Egypt will never facilitate Palestinian expulsion, declaring it a “red line” that cannot be crossed.

Netanyahu had claimed in an interview that “half of Gaza’s population wants to leave” and suggested he could open Rafah, though he accused Egypt of keeping it shut, according to Al Jazeera.