TNA Staff
The New Arab / June 12, 2025
Protesters gathered in Cairo to demand that Egypt allow international activists to cross into Gaza as part of a global solidarity convoy.
Journalists and activists are planning to rally outside Egypt’s Journalists Syndicate on Thursday to call on authorities to open the Rafah crossing and allow international solidarity convoys to enter Gaza.
The planned protest came as Egypt had detained and deported dozens of foreign activists arriving as part of the Global March to Gaza campaign, headed for the Gaza border, amid pressure from Israel to stop the movement.
Among those blocked were around 40 Algerian nationals who were barred from entering Egypt and held in Cairo airport’s transit hall before being sent back to Algiers. A first group had already been deported after over 13 hours in detention.
Sociology professor Nourreddine Boukess, one of the activists, told The New Arab’s Arabic edition: “Airport authorities prevented us from entering and decided to detain us.”
Authorities cited the lack of prior permits to travel to Rafah, saying foreigners need official clearance for such visits. Two French nationals were also briefly held on arrival over their suspected participation in the convoy.
The detentions come in the wake of a public threat by Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who pushed Cairo to block activists from approaching the Egypt-Gaza border. He warned that any entry into the enclave would “endanger the safety of Israeli soldiers and will not be allowed.”
Soon after, Egypt’s foreign ministry echoed Israel’s position, insisting that all foreign delegations seeking access to Gaza must coordinate through diplomatic channels and submit requests in advance.
The convoy, organised by the Palestinian-led Global Coalition Against the Occupation, is calling for an end to Israel’s blockade and for the reopening of crossings to deliver urgent humanitarian aid. The group said over 4,000 activists from 54 countries are attempting to reach Al-Arish before crossing into Gaza for a peaceful sit-in at Rafah.
The Tunisian-led Sumud convoy, one of the most visible segments of the campaign, arrived in Libya on Tuesday and was awaiting permission to continue east. It includes around 1,000 activists from across the Maghreb and is expected to grow as it travels.
The campaign aims to send a clear message of support for Palestinians facing what organisers describe as “collective punishment, ethnic cleansing, and forced displacement”.
