Egyptian authorities have detained dozens, including journalists and activists, who were planning to join and report on a solidarity march aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade on Gaza. Among those detained is Maktoob journalist Nikita Jain, who was covering the march.
This comes after several participants were previously deported by Egyptian authorities.
“Different delegations from various countries were stopped at Ismailia, and their passports were seized as they tried to peacefully march towards the Rafah border to break the siege,” Nikita said.
According to Jain, upon arrival at Ismaïlia, a designated meeting point, participants, including journalists, had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities. The journalist describes a tense situation where approximately 70 individuals are being held, with police restricting photography and videography.
There are rumours of potential deportations, and while embassies have been contacted, the immediate future of those detained remains uncertain. Many more individuals attempting to reach Ismaïlia were also stopped at checkpoints, facing similar passport confiscations and being prevented from proceeding.
Besides the detention at Ismailia hostel, hundreds of cars are being stopped and held at two major checkpoints before Ismailia. Those who manage to cross these checkpoints, their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities. Detainees have started setting up camps in places where they have been stopped. There is uncertainty as to what will become of the detainees; whether they will be deported or imprisoned in Egyptian jails.
The “Global March to Gaza,” set to run from June 13 to June 20, aimed to create international pressure to open the Rafah border crossing and lift the humanitarian aid blockade on Gaza. However, the march is effectively “at a halt” due to the intense police presence and mass detentions, with authorities not allowing participants to proceed further.
