Photo by Mohammed Abubakr
Egyptian authorities have detained and deported numerous pro-Palestinian activists who were preparing to take part in a mass march aimed at breaching Israel’s blockade on Gaza, according to airport officials and event organisers.
Thousands of international activists had planned to converge at Egypt’s Rafah border crossing with Gaza on Friday as part of the Global March to Gaza, which seeks to demand unimpeded access for humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian enclave. However, Egyptian officials have been cracking down on foreign participants, detaining many on arrival at Cairo International Airport and at hotels across the capital, subjecting them to questioning, and deporting dozens on Thursday.
A senior Egyptian official, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press due to lack of authorisation to speak publicly, confirmed that more than three dozen activists had been deported over the past 48 hours. Most of those deported held European passports and were reportedly intending to travel to Northern Sinai without securing the necessary permits.
According to reports, at least 73 foreign nationals were deported on a Thursday flight to Istanbul, with over 100 more awaiting deportation at Cairo airport.
Activists from Across the Globe Questioned
Saif Abukeshek, spokesperson for the Global March to Gaza, told AFP that more than 200 activists had either been detained at the airport or questioned at hotels in Cairo. Among them were nationals from the United States, France, Australia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Abukeshek stated that plainclothes officers visited hotels in the capital on Wednesday armed with lists of names, questioning individuals, inspecting their belongings, and in some cases, seizing their phones.
“Some were arrested, while others were released after interrogation,” he said, noting that several of those detained at the airport were later deported.
A statement from a group of Greek activists said that dozens from their delegation were detained at Cairo airport, despite having proper travel documentation and having followed all legal procedures.
Organisers of the march also issued a statement stressing their adherence to guidelines provided by the Egyptian government and reiterated their intent to move forward with the demonstration.
“We look forward to providing any additional information the Egyptian authorities require to ensure the march continues peacefully as planned to the Rafah border,” the statement read.
Despite the clampdown, Abukeshek confirmed that the group intends to proceed with the Friday march.
A Humanitarian Push Amid War
The plan involves traveling by bus to El Arish in the northern Sinai Peninsula, followed by a 50-kilometre (31-mile) march to the Gaza border. Participants aim to join a convoy of activists that began its journey in Tunisia earlier this week.
Organisers say the action is intended to generate global moral and media pressure to lift the blockade and open the Rafah crossing, which has remained largely shut during the ongoing war. The United Nations has described Gaza as “the hungriest place on Earth,” as aid into the region has been severely restricted since Israel imposed a full blockade in March.
Although Israel allowed limited aid to enter Gaza last month, its distribution has been marred by logistical breakdowns and instances of deadly violence against civilians attempting to collect food. Humanitarian experts warn that current aid levels fall drastically short of what’s needed.
This initiative marks the second attempt this month by international groups to break the Gaza siege. Earlier this week, the Madleen ship—carrying aid and notable passengers including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, and Al Jazeera Mubasher journalist Omar Faiad—was intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters en route to Gaza.
While Egypt has condemned the blockade on Gaza, it maintains that its side of the Rafah crossing is operational. However, officials say the Palestinian side remains sealed off by Israel. Egyptian authorities have reiterated that only those with proper authorisation may proceed toward sensitive border zones.
“Egypt reserves the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its national security, including regulating the entry and movement of individuals within its territory, particularly in areas close to its borders,” read a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
Israel Warns Against Border March
Israel, which maintains a delicate diplomatic relationship with Cairo, has urged Egyptian authorities to block the planned demonstration. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday labeled the incoming participants as “jihadist protesters,” asserting that their presence near the border would pose a risk to Israeli soldiers and would not be tolerated.
Despite the escalating tension, march organisers remain steadfast in their commitment to drawing attention to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and pressing for a resolution through peaceful protest.
