ABU DHABI -- Foreign ministers from several Arab and Muslim countries on Friday expressed concern over recent Israeli remarks suggesting the Rafah Crossing be opened only in one direction to transfer Gaza residents into Egypt.

In a joint statement, ministers from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar rejected any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians and called for adherence to the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which they said requires the Rafah Crossing to remain open in both directions to ensure freedom of movement for Gaza's population. (UAE-Israel-Rafah Reopening)

- - - -

BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi presidency on Friday denied any knowledge of or approval for the designation of Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi group as terrorist groups subject to asset freezes.

In a statement issued by its media office, the Iraqi presidency clarified that it has not received such decisions, stressing that it became aware of the inclusion of Houthis and Hezbollah on the list only through social media. (Iraq-Hezbollah-Houthis-Terror Designation)

- - - -

SANAA -- Yemen's government said it handed over 26 bodies of the Houthi group on Friday as a gesture of "goodwill" ahead of the expected resumption of talks sponsored by the United Nations.

In the statement broadcast by state-run television, the government said the bodies were handed over to a local mediator, under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross. (Yemen-Houthis-Bodies Return)

- - - -

KHARTOUM -- The death toll from the drone strike that hit civilian areas in the city of Kalogi in southern Sudan's South Kordofan state on Thursday has risen to 79, among them 43 children, the state government said on Friday.

South Kordofan state government said in a statement that the attack was launched by the opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) forces "in coordination with the rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia." (Sudan-RSF-Drone Attack) Enditem