Egypt Arrests, Deports Hundreds of Anti-Israel Activists Headed to Gaza
Egyptian authorities arrested and deported around 200 anti-Israel activists, primarily from Algeria and Morocco, who were attempting to march to Gaza. The actions followed warnings from Israel about security threats. Both the Egyptian and Libyan governments urged demonstrators to move cautiously and coordinate properly. Simultaneously, humanitarian efforts continue in Gaza amidst rising tensions and violence against aid workers.
In a significant crackdown, Egyptian authorities apprehended and deported hundreds of anti-Israel activists attempting to march into Gaza this week. According to the Associated Press, around 200 activists from 80 countries were detained on Thursday. A majority of those arrested hailed from Algeria and Morocco, while others were from places like the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, France, and Spain.
On Friday, the situation escalated as additional activists were detained during stops along the Sinai Peninsula, which leads to Rafah. Reporting by Reuters indicates that Egyptian authorities continued their ranks against the growing number of activists trying to reach Gaza. This move followed a warning from Israel the day prior, highlighting that the march could jeopardize regional security.
The Israeli government took measures to ensure that demonstrators would not enter Gaza, emphasizing to Egypt the necessity of preventing protestors, labeled as potential jihadists, from reaching the Egypt-Israel border. They indicated that such actions would compromise the safety of Israeli soldiers. “They would endanger the safety of [Israeli] soldiers,” the Israeli government argued.
A spokesperson for the anti-Israel demonstrators expressed intentions to reassess plans based on the clarity offered by Egyptian officials before trying again to enter Gaza. In a related incident, Libyan authorities intervened to stop more demonstrators who were traveling in an aid convoy before they neared the Egyptian border. Libya officials called for better coordination with their government to ensure the procession’s security and maintain solidarity with Palestinians.
The arrests of these activists unfolded just days after Israeli forces arrested notable leftist activist Greta Thunberg along with 11 others who were also seeking to enter Gaza via a “Freedom Flotilla.” Reports indicate that Israeli officials showed Thunberg alarming footage of Hamas’ attacks from October 7, 2023, before their deportation back to their respective countries.
After Israel gained control of Gaza by dismantling many of Hamas’ leadership structures, humanitarian efforts resumed with the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distributing food and aid within the troubled region. As reported by The Daily Wire, recent violence resulted in the tragic death of eight GHF workers in an attack when their bus was targeted while heading to a distribution center.
Overall, the recent events underscore the complexities in the ongoing conflict surrounding Gaza, highlighting the tension between grassroots activism and national security concerns. With Egypt enforcing strict deportations and Israel alerting on potential threats, the future of activist movements aiming to support Palestinians remains uncertain. Moreover, the tragic loss of aid workers in the area amplifies the humanitarian crisis that still exists in Gaza.
Original Source: www.dailywire.com
