Egypt detains dozens of pro-Palestine activists on march to Gaza
Thousands of pro-Palestine activists were expected to set off from Egypt on Friday in an attempt to trek to the Rafah border crossing with Palestine, demanding the entry of humanitarian aid into the blockaded territory.
However, Egyptian authorities have detained several international visitors planning to take part in the march at Cairo airport and hotels in the Egyptian capital.
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More than three dozen people were arrested and deported on Thursday, an Egyptian official told the Associated Press.
Among those detained were nationals from France, Algeria, Spain, Greece, Poland, Holland, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Holland, Sweden, Morocco, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Costa Rica the US.
The National understands that at least one UK national has been detained and deported.
The Global March to Gaza, the march's organisers, said it had followed the guidelines set out by the Egyptian government and planned to continue with the march.
On Friday afternoon, the group said they had not yet received formal authorisation to begin the march, but that they remained "fully committed to coordinating with Egyptian authorities" to ensure full legal compliance.
The group added: "Our intent is not to challenge the law but to work in accordance with it.
"This peaceful gathering includes medical professionals, parliamentarians, lawyers, and humanitarians from more than 80 countries who have come together with a unified message: the blockade must end and humanitarian aid must flow freely to the people of Palestine."
READ MORE: Keir Starmer's lack of condemnation has emboldened Benjamin Netanyahu in Iran attacks
Those taking part in the march plan to travel by bus to the city of El Arish in the Sinai Peninsula before walking around 31 miles to the Rafah border crossing.
They intend to join a convoy carrying at least 1500 people which left Tunisia on Monday for the Rafah crossing.
The march to Gaza is the second attempt by international activists to break the siege on Gaza this month.
It comes after the Madleen ship, co-ordinated by humanitarian organisation Freedom Flotilla Coalition was intercepted by Israel in international waters while attempting to reach Gaza.
Israel detained the 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate and social justice campaigner Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, before deporting them over the course of this week.
At the time of writing, three activists are still being held in Israel's Givon Prison, after Israel's initial attack on Iran early on Friday grounded all flights.
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