Egyptian security forces (Credit: AFP)
Egypt detains over 200 activists ahead of Gaza solidarity march
Egyptian security forces have detained more than 200 international activists in Cairo, days before a planned march aimed at challenging 'Israel’s' blockade on the Gaza Strip.
According to Saif Abukeshek, a spokesperson for the organizing group, the individuals were stopped at various locations across the Egyptian capital, including Cairo International Airport and multiple hotels.
“Over 200 participants were detained at Cairo airport or questioned at hotels across Cairo,” Abukeshek told Agence France-Presse (AFP), noting that the detainees include citizens from the US, Australia, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Algeria.
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The march, set to begin Friday, was organized to push for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and to demand an end to 'Israel’s' siege of the territory. Participants planned to travel to Egypt’s Rafah border crossing and stage a peaceful demonstration.
Abukeshek said plainclothes police entered several hotels across the Egyptian capital on Wednesday with lists of names, questioning activists and in some cases confiscating phones and searching belongings. “After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released,” he noted.
At a press briefing earlier this week, organizers stated that around 4,000 participants from over 40 countries had already booked flights to Cairo, with many having arrived in advance of the event.
According to plans, the marchers were to travel by bus to El-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula, and then walk 50km toward the Rafah crossing. They would camp near the border before returning to Cairo on June 19.
The march has drawn criticism from 'Israeli' officials. Defence Minister Israel Katz said, “Israel has called on Egyptian authorities to prevent the arrival of jihadist protesters at the Egypt-Israel border,” adding that such actions “would endanger the safety of [Israeli] soldiers and will not be allowed.”
In response, Egypt’s foreign ministry reiterated its support for international efforts to pressure 'Israel' into ending the blockade but emphasized that any foreign delegations intending to approach border areas must receive prior approval through official channels.
