Egypt Blocks Gaza March as Global Protests Grow

Thousands of activists from over 80 countries attempted to join the Global March to Gaza, a civilian-led protest calling for an end to Israel's blockade and for humanitarian access, but were met with mass detentions, deportations, denied entry, and blocked convoys by Egyptian authorities at the Rafah border, who cited security concerns. Despite these measures, many activists remained in Cairo, highlighting the symbolic importance of solidarity with Gazans amid ongoing conflict, starvation, and displacement. Egypt maintained that it supports the Palestinian cause and has facilitated some aid deliveries, but faced criticism from protestors for complicity in the blockade. In Europe, mass 'Red Line' protests organized by major human rights groups saw 100,000 people in The Hague and 75,000 in Brussels demand an end to what they call genocide in Gaza and urged stronger action from governments. At the same time, Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 41 Palestinians on Sunday, including civilians near aid sites. Humanitarian agencies and the UN condemned the current aid system as inadequate and dangerous, underscoring global concern and ongoing barriers to relief.