Over 200 Global Activists Detained in Cairo as Gaza March Faces Heavy Crackdown

Over 200 international activists were detained or interrogated in Cairo this week ahead of a planned Global March to Gaza, according to organizers. The group intended to protest the ongoing Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory.

Speaking to AFP, march spokesperson Saif Abukeshek confirmed that plainclothes Egyptian officers detained or questioned participants at Cairo International Airport and various hotels across the city. Many had arrived from Algeria, Australia, France, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States.

“After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released,” Abukeshek said.

Officers reportedly entered hotels with prepared lists of names, searched personal belongings, and in some cases confiscated mobile phones.

French Delegation Held at Airport

Among the detainees were more than 20 French nationals who were held at Cairo airport for over 18 hours. Abukeshek described the crackdown as "completely unexpected."

Egyptian officials justified the detentions, stating that the activists failed to follow proper diplomatic procedures, including securing embassy approvals and valid visas.

Authorities in Cairo view the march toward Rafah, the Egypt-Gaza border crossing, as a potential security threat—both for Egypt and the demonstrators.

Tensions Rise Amid Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

The move comes as Israel faces increasing international pressure to allow greater humanitarian access to Gaza, which the United Nations has described as “the hungriest place on Earth” after 21 months of war.

The organizing coalition behind the march said in a statement:

“We hope to cooperate with Egyptian authorities. Our priorities are the same — ending the genocide in Palestine.”

Humanitarian Convoy Blocked in Libya

Meanwhile, another group of nearly 1,500 pro-Palestinian activists, part of the Soumoud caravan (Arabic for "resilience"), remains blocked in Sirte, Libya. The convoy had departed from Tunis on Monday, aiming to symbolically break the Israeli blockade by reaching Gaza overland.

The convoy includes medics, civil society leaders, and supporters from Algeria and Tunisia, traveling in over 100 vehicles. After reaching Tripoli, they were stopped in Sirte, which is under the control of Marshal Khalifa Haftar's forces.

“We don’t yet know if we’ll be allowed to continue,” said Wael Naouar, one of the organizers, in a Facebook video. “But we will not turn back.”

Mass March to Gaza Still Planned

The Global March to Gaza is coordinating closely with the Soumoud caravan. Organizers expect around 4,000 participants from over 40 countries to join Friday’s protest.

The plan involves participants traveling by bus to El-Arish, a fortified city in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and then marching 50 kilometers to the Rafah crossing.

However, Israel has called on Egyptian authorities to prevent what it described as “jihadist protesters” from reaching the Egypt-Israel border.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its support for pressuring Israel, but emphasized that foreign delegations must receive official approval to approach sensitive border zones.

Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Ship

Earlier this week, the Israeli military intercepted a vessel carrying aid and Western pro-Palestinian activists, including Greta Thunberg, en route to Gaza.

All 12 people on board were deported.

French MEP Rima Hassan, a member of the France Unbowed (LFI) party and of Palestinian descent, also returned to France after reportedly being held in solitary confinement by Israeli authorities.