Egypt Deports Foreign Activists Ahead of Gaza Solidarity March

 

Egyptian authorities have deported dozens of foreign nationals who had traveled to the country to take part in a pro-Palestinian march toward the Gaza border, according to organisers and sources at Cairo’s airport. The mass deportations have disrupted the Global March to Gaza, an international effort intended to pressure for an end to the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian enclave and highlight the humanitarian crisis there.

 

Egyptians attack left-wing ‘Global March for Gaza’ activists as they attempted to go to Gaza; throw projectiles and bottles at them.

Egyptians attack left-wing ‘Global March for Gaza’ activists as they attempted to go to Gaza; throw projectiles and bottles at them.

pic.twitter.com/NNWEoerLv1

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 14, 2025

 

The march, which drew participants from 80 countries, was planned to culminate at Egypt’s Rafah Crossing with Gaza. However, many of those arriving in Cairo were either denied entry, detained at the airport, or forcibly deported. Organisers of the initiative reported that numerous participants had already been removed from the country, while dozens more remained in limbo.

Egyptians forcibly drag and remove foreign pro-Palestine activists who arrived in Egypt in an attempt to ‘March to Gaza.’

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— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 14, 2025

 

At least 73 foreign nationals were put on a flight to Istanbul on Thursday, according to three airport sources who spoke to Reuters. Authorities claimed the individuals were deported due to violations of Egypt’s entry protocols. Approximately 100 more foreign nationals were reportedly being held at Cairo Airport, awaiting deportation.

 

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has not issued an immediate comment in response to inquiries from Reuters. Previously, the ministry had emphasized that all travel to the sensitive Rafah border region must be coordinated through official Egyptian embassies or government offices. The ministry stressed that such measures were necessary to uphold national safety and security.

 

However, the organisers of the Global March to Gaza maintain that they followed all the required procedures. In a statement issued late Wednesday, the organisers insisted they had taken steps to ensure transparency and coordination with Egyptian authorities.

 

"In the two months leading up to the march, organisers coordinated directly with Egyptian embassies in over 15 countries and with the Foreign Ministry to ensure transparency at every stage," the statement read. The organisers also called on the Egyptian government to release any detained activists and allow the march to proceed peacefully.

 

Meanwhile, Israel had voiced strong opposition to the march. On Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant instructed the Israeli military to prevent demonstrators from entering Gaza from Egypt. He said the initiative posed a threat to both Israeli and regional security.

The situation at the Rafah Crossing remains dire. Egyptian officials have pointed out that the crossing is closed on the Gaza side due to Israeli restrictions. They have urged the international community to place pressure on Israel to reopen the crossing so that humanitarian aid can flow into the besieged territory.

 

As tensions mount and more participants face deportation, the future of the Global March to Gaza hangs in the balance, with Egypt caught between regional security concerns and a growing international call for solidarity with the Palestinian people.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Reuters | X  2025-06-16

 

 

 

Were the, attempted marching protestors, "kidnapped" before being deported?

Hopefully they tuned a few up before sending them packing.

Why were ordinary Egyptians throwing rocks and bottles at the Gaza convoy?!? Paid agitators? Don't like the colour of our money?