Egypt has announced that all foreign delegations planning solidarity activities in support of Gaza on its territory must obtain prior formal authorization.
This requirement, imposed by Cairo, underscores the delicate diplomatic balance the country is striving to maintain amidst the current regional complexities.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government reiterated “the importance of increasing pressure on Israel to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip and to facilitate humanitarian access.” Concurrently, the ministry stressed the necessity for foreign delegations to comply with established procedures when intending to demonstrate support for the Palestinian cause in border areas.
This announcement follows an order from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to his military to prevent the arrival of the “Maghreb Resilience Convoy” in Gaza, with a similar call directed at Egypt. Katz described the activists as “a threat to the Egyptian regime” and to “moderate Arab governments.”
The convoy, consisting of hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, began its journey from Tunis on Monday, passing through Tripoli and Zawiya in Libya before entering Egypt later in the week.
Despite reports of numerous arrests in Egypt, the organizing collective for the Global March to Gaza stated that the march is “ongoing.” Several foreign activists present in Egypt have reportedly been detained, with some subsequently expelled. The group asserts that “thousands of participants are ready to head to El-Arish tomorrow and continue on foot to Rafah.”
The Tunisian Coordination for the Joint Action for Palestine affirmed that the initiative’s primary goals are to denounce the war in Gaza and break the Israeli blockade.
SL/te/sf/lb/abj/APA