Egypt's role in the ongoing devastation of Gaza has come under scrutiny as hundreds of pro-Palestine activists attempting to join the Global March to Gaza have been detained, interrogated or deported. Thousands of people worldwide aimed to join the Al-Somoud convoy driving from Tunis to the Egyptian border at Rafah to deliver aid in a challenge to the Israeli siege on Gaza. Activists report that Egyptian authorities confiscated their passports and blocked people from moving beyond checkpoints near Cairo. People also claimed Egypt forced them onto aeroplanes against their will.
While Egypt publicly criticises Israel's actions in Gaza, its security forces have cracked down on activism, arresting at least 180 people since October 2023. Authorities justified the most recent clampdown by citing visa violations and national security concerns. Despite the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, where Israeli forces have killed 274 people and wounded more than 2,000 since Israel forcefully took control of aid deliveries in May, Cairo's policies appear more aligned with Israeli security interests than with the cries for Palestinian relief.
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Video credits: @ Africa4Pal on X, @ doamuslims on TikTok, @ Palestine001 on X and @ thecrispinflintoffshow on YouTube
Sources
https://archive.ph/5iz1e#selection-2319.1-2319.39
https://www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/egypt-deports-activists-march-gaza/