Egypt Deports Hundreds of Activists Ahead of Gaza March

Egyptian authorities have detained and deported hundreds of international activists attempting to participate in the Global March to Gaza, a protest aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza and drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis. Despite activists from more than 80 countries arriving in Cairo, many were held at airports or hotels without permits to proceed toward the Rafah border crossing and subsequently deported, with reports of physical and verbal abuse during detention. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry emphasized that visits to the border region require prior authorization, citing security concerns, while organizers maintain they complied with all legal requirements and condemned the deportations as violations of freedom of movement and expression. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz called the march a security threat and praised Egypt's actions to prevent demonstrators from reaching Gaza, warning Israel would intervene if Egypt did not act. Activists and human rights groups have condemned Egypt's crackdown, demanding the immediate release of detained individuals and urging the international community to pressure Egypt to respect legal and humanitarian rights. Despite the crackdown, organizers assert the march will proceed with thousands already in Egypt, aiming to reach Gaza on foot.