On Thursday, Egyptian authorities intervened to prevent activists from embarking on a march to Gaza, effectively stopping their initiative aimed at addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the enclave. This action occurred before the march could even commence, as activists intended to traverse approximately 50 kilometers from the city of Arish to the Gaza border.
Deportations and diplomatic tensions
The organizers reported that despite the blockade, they have no intention of canceling the march. Activists had spent months preparing for this event to generate “international moral and media pressure” for opening the Rafah crossing and lifting the blockade that has severely restricted humanitarian aid. They attempted to coordinate with Egyptian embassies across several nations, yet were informed that they lacked the necessary authorization for their planned activities.
Recent reports indicate that more than three dozen activists, primarily holding European passports, were deported upon their arrival at Cairo International Airport over the past two days. An Egyptian official disclosed that these activists had attempted to travel to Northern Sinai without proper authorization. This situation has created diplomatic pressure on the activists’ home governments, which are concerned about the potential detention of their citizens.
A French diplomatic official revealed that France is maintaining “close contact” with Egyptian authorities regarding the status of French nationals who were denied entry or detained, ensuring their consular protection. The official noted the risks associated with unauthorized demonstrations in sensitive areas such as the Sinai Peninsula.
Security concerns and Egypt’s position
In light of the ongoing conflict, Egypt has publicly criticized the limitations on humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza and has consistently called for an end to hostilities. Although the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing is officially open, access to the Gaza Strip has been significantly obstructed since the onset of Israel’s military actions against Hamas in October 2023.
For years, Egyptian authorities have maintained a strict clampdown on dissent, particularly when criticism pertains to Cairo’s diplomatic and economic relationships with Israel—an issue that remains sensitive in the region. In a recent statement, Egypt’s foreign ministry emphasized its right to take necessary measures to safeguard national security, including regulating the entry and movement of individuals within its borders.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz criticized the activists, labeling them as “jihadists” and urged Egypt to prevent them from reaching the Gaza border, arguing that their presence poses a threat to the stability of the Egyptian regime and moderate Arab governments.
The march was set against the backdrop of a large convoy that traveled across North Africa to Egypt, reportedly consisting of thousands of activists. Detentions at Cairo airport began on Wednesday, with many detainees receiving no clear explanations from authorities. Activists, including Algerian attorney Fatima Rouibi, shared their experiences on social media, describing how they and others were detained and subsequently deported.
Organizers have stated that they received reports indicating that at least 170 participants have faced delays or detentions in Cairo. They expressed their willingness to cooperate with Egyptian officials to facilitate the march to the Rafah border.
As part of ongoing efforts, the Global March to Gaza represents a civil society initiative advocating for the delivery of crucial aid—food, fuel, and medical supplies—into Gaza. The blockade imposed by Israel since March has aimed to pressure Hamas into disarmament and secure the release of hostages from the October 7 attack, which ignited the current conflict. Though some restrictions were eased last month, analysts have indicated that the measures remain inadequate to address the dire humanitarian needs.
According to findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a significant number of Palestinians—nearly half a million—are facing potential starvation, with another million struggling to secure sufficient food. Despite these alarming assessments, Israel has dismissed the IPC’s findings, arguing that prior forecasts have proven inaccurate.