Israel has called on Egypt to block planned pro-Palestinian demonstrations near the Gaza Strip, particularly targeting the Soumoud caravan—a convoy of activists from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania—and a “Global March” involving protesters from 44 countries scheduled for June 19.
The Rafah border crossing with Egypt © Mena Today
Israel has called on Egypt to block planned pro-Palestinian demonstrations near the Gaza Strip, particularly targeting the Soumoud caravan—a convoy of activists from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania—and a “Global March” involving protesters from 44 countries scheduled for June 19.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz urged Cairo to prevent what he called “jihadist provocations” and unauthorized attempts to enter Gaza.
In response, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the need for prior authorization for any foreign-led actions on its soil, while reaffirming its support for lifting the Israeli blockade on Gaza and enabling humanitarian access.
Meanwhile, several French activists planning to join the march were detained at Cairo airport or intercepted at their hotels.
Around 4,000 international activists are expected to travel to Cairo, then proceed to Arish and walk 50 km to Rafah, the border crossing with Gaza.
The Soumoud convoy, which left Tunis by bus, has reached Tripoli, Libya, and is awaiting clearance to enter Egypt.
Benjamin Netanyahu's position in the post-election battle to stay on as Israel's prime minister weakened on Thursday after an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party withheld support for any nominee and an Arab-led party endorsed his main opponent.
Prominent Egyptians hailed the election of Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim member of the US Senate on Wednesday, though state media paid little notice to the rise of a liberal American who has called his parents' native country a military dictatorship.
British pop icon Boy George made a triumphant return to Israel on Wednesday evening, performing before a sold-out crowd at Tel Aviv’s Menora Mivtachim Arena.
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