Quote from Alex bobby on June 13, 2025, 3:43 PM

Egypt Blocks Activists' March to Gaza Amid Growing Humanitarian Crisis

A powerful civil society initiative meant to draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been blocked before it could begin. Egyptian authorities have deported or detained dozens of international activists who planned to march to the Gaza border via the Sinai Peninsula, raising concerns over freedom of movement, diplomatic tensions, and the ongoing blockade that has choked aid into the besieged Palestinian territory.

A Humanitarian Mission Halted

The march, which had been planned for months by a coalition of international activists, was designed as a peaceful, symbolic gesture to highlight the dire situation inside Gaza. Organisers envisioned a 50-kilometre trek from Arish, in Egypt’s North Sinai region, to the Rafah border crossing — the only potential gateway for humanitarian aid into Gaza, much of which remains cut off due to Israel’s ongoing military campaign.

But Egyptian authorities swiftly intervened. More than three dozen participants — many holding European passports — were deported upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, according to officials. Others were held in airport detention centres. By Thursday, organisers confirmed that at least 170 marchers had been delayed or detained, with many facing deportation.

Despite the crackdown, organisers said they have no intention of cancelling the march. “We look forward to providing any additional information the Egyptian authorities require to ensure the march continues peacefully as planned to the Rafah border,” they said in a statement.

Egypt’s Tightrope Walk

Egypt has publicly condemned Israel’s blockade on aid into Gaza and called for a ceasefire in the war that began in October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel. However, Egypt also maintains a complex diplomatic relationship with Israel and has historically limited political dissent within its borders — especially when it involves public mobilisation on foreign policy matters.

Egyptian officials stated that those attempting to join the march had failed to secure the proper authorisations. “Egypt holds the right to take all necessary measures to preserve its national security, including the regulation of the entry and movement of individuals within its territory, especially in sensitive border areas,” said the foreign ministry on Wednesday.

Activists have countered that they engaged in good-faith coordination with Egyptian embassies in their home countries. Still, authorities deemed their attempt to travel into the restricted Sinai Peninsula — without final permits — a violation of national protocol.

Regional and Diplomatic Fallout

The heavy-handed response has put pressure on European governments to intervene diplomatically. France confirmed it was in “close contact” with Egypt to ensure consular protection for French nationals detained or refused entry. Other countries with citizens involved in the march, including Germany and Algeria, are likely monitoring the situation closely to avoid diplomatic embarrassment or worse — mass detentions.

Some activists expressed frustration and disbelief over their treatment. Tunisian-born German resident Bilal Nieh reported being deported alongside seven other North African activists holding EU passports. Algerian attorney Fatima Rouibi noted that she and three other lawyers were detained before ultimately being deported.

Adding fuel to the fire, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz condemned the activists, labelling them “jihadists” and warning that they pose a threat not only to Egypt but to all “moderate Arab regimes” in the region. Such rhetoric risks further entangling the issue in geopolitics, shifting the focus from humanitarian relief to political allegiances and security concerns.

Crisis in Gaza Deepens

While Egypt asserts that the Rafah crossing on its side remains open, Israeli control of the Palestinian side since May has rendered the route functionally closed. With Israel’s blockade largely intact, Gaza continues to face what many experts are now calling a man-made famine.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a globally recognised authority on hunger and malnutrition, has warned that nearly half a million Palestinians face possible starvation. An additional 1 million struggle to meet basic food needs. Though Israel allowed limited aid through last month, humanitarian groups argue this falls drastically short of what’s required to stave off catastrophe.

Israel has rejected the IPC’s findings, calling their predictions inaccurate and politically biased. Yet mounting images from Gaza tell another story: overcrowded hospitals, long bread lines, and children suffering from acute malnutrition.

The Global March to Gaza: A Growing Movement

Despite Egypt’s clampdown, the Global March to Gaza has mobilised thousands of people across continents. A large overland convoy recently made its way through North Africa toward Egypt, bringing with it momentum and global media attention.

Participants say they were not only motivated by solidarity but also by a desire to apply “international moral pressure” on Egypt and Israel to facilitate the unimpeded flow of aid. The message is clear: the global community is watching, and silence or inaction in the face of mass suffering is unacceptable.

Looking Forward

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and international pressure mounts, the blocked march to Rafah underscores the increasing urgency for global action. Civil society efforts like the Global March to Gaza demonstrate that public solidarity remains strong, even in the face of political obstacles. Whether this movement can break through the current stalemate depends not only on diplomatic negotiations but also on sustained international engagement and pressure. What happens next at the Rafah crossing could shape the humanitarian outlook for Gaza—and set a precedent for how the world responds to civilian-led calls for justice in conflict zones.

Conclusion

Egypt’s decision to block the Global March to Gaza has reignited debates about national security, freedom of expression, and international solidarity. It has also exposed the fragility of regional diplomacy when it comes to the deeply polarising issue of Gaza.

What remains undeniable is the urgency of the humanitarian crisis. With food, medicine, and fuel still largely barred from entering Gaza, civil society’s attempt to shine a light on the blockade — even in the face of detention and deportation — underscores a growing global frustration with the pace of diplomatic solutions.

At its core, the march was about visibility — and in that sense, it may have already succeeded.