Egyptian authorities have blocked a convoy organized by the Global March to Gaza, detaining several dozen pro-Palestinian activists outside Cairo for hours, according to the group’s organizers. Some were released, but others remain in custody.
Egyptian authorities have blocked a convoy organized by the Global March to Gaza, detaining several dozen pro-Palestinian activists outside Cairo for hours, according to the group’s organizers. Some were released, but others remain in custody.
The activists left Cairo by car on Friday, aiming to reach Gaza through the Sinai Peninsula. They were stopped near Ismailia, where passports were confiscated, and some were reportedly mistreated before being forced onto buses, according to videos shared online.
“We were held for six to seven hours before the group was violently dispersed,” said organizer Seif Abu Kishk, who also denied claims circulating on social media that the activists were trying to incite unrest in Cairo.
Egypt has not issued any official statement on the detentions or expulsions, despite dozens of activists being turned back in recent days.
The march aimed to reach Rafah via al-Arich, with participants including foreign lawmakers and the grandson of Nelson Mandela. Organizers insist their mission remains peaceful and focused on reaching Gaza.
Meanwhile in Libya, a separate convoy of North African activists, dubbed "Soumoud," has been blocked near Sirte by forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa Haftar.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul sought to tone down previous comments about his country's position on Palestinian statehood during a trip to the West Bank on Friday, saying Germany had no immediate plans to recognise a Palestinian state.
President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy became the first high profile U.S. official to visit Gaza since the war began, touring a U.S.-backed aid operation on Friday that the United Nations says is partly to blame for deadly conditions in the enclave.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis in the enclave, where a global hunger monitor has warned that famine is unfolding.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.
