Israeli Defense Minister Katz Asks Egypt to Halt Activists at Border

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz urges Egypt to stop activists from reaching the Gaza border, citing risks to Israeli troops. About 1,700 activists have departed Tunisia, including individuals from various countries, aiming to protest Israeli actions in the ongoing conflict.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement on Wednesday urging Egyptian authorities to prevent activists from reaching the border with the Gaza Strip. Katz emphasized that any attempt by these individuals to enter Palestinian territory poses a significant risk to the safety of Israeli troops currently stationed in Gaza. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Israeli army manages the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing.

Earlier, Egyptian officials had requested that activists secure official permits before making the journey from Tunisia to the Gaza border. According to the state news agency TAP, approximately 1,700 activists have departed from Tunis in a convoy of buses and cars, which notably includes around 200 individuals from Algeria. Their aim is to transit through Libya and Egypt to reach the Rafah crossing in a show of solidarity with Palestinian civilians.

The group encompasses a diverse range of nationalities with 52 French nationals, 67 Algerian activists, 13 from Morocco, and eight Libyan citizens. As they prepare for this journey, their primary objective is to protest against Israel’s military conduct in the ongoing conflict. The invited activism will likely heighten tensions in an already precarious area, raising concerns about potential clashes at the border.

In summary, Israel’s Defense Minister Katz has called upon Egypt to take action towards halting a large group of activists aiming to protest at the Gaza border. With concerns for Israeli troop safety at the forefront, the activists, who have begun their journey from various countries, hope to express solidarity with Palestinian civilians. The situation highlights the tense dynamics between humanitarian activism and security concerns in the region.

Original Source: www.yahoo.com