Egypt Arrests, Deports Hundreds of Anti-Israel Activists Headed to Gaza

Egypt has arrested and deported around 200 anti-Israel activists, primarily Algerians and Moroccans, who sought to enter Gaza. The crackdown comes amid Israeli warnings about potential threats to regional security. Other nations, including Libya, have also responded by halting demonstrators. Furthermore, humanitarian efforts in Gaza are under threat after Hamas attacks on aid workers.

In a significant crackdown on demonstrators, Egyptian authorities have arrested and deported hundreds of activists aiming to march into Gaza as part of an anti-Israel demonstration. Reports indicate that approximately 200 activists from around 80 countries were detained on Thursday, with the majority being from Algeria and Morocco. However, activists from countries such as the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, France, and Spain were also among those arrested, as reported by the Associated Press.

On Friday, additional arrests occurred when Egyptian authorities halted vehicles along the Sinai Peninsula, which leads to the Rafah crossing into Gaza. This move followed Israel’s warnings about the march posing threats to regional security, urging Egyptian officials to stop potential jihadist protesters from reaching the Egypt-Israel border. The Israeli government stated that such activism could endanger Israeli soldiers and would not be tolerated.

A spokesperson for the demonstrators indicated that marchers are awaiting further communication from Egyptian authorities before making new attempts to enter Gaza. Meanwhile, Libyan authorities also intervened, halting additional demonstrators associated with an aid convoy before reaching Egypt’s border. They emphasized the importance of lawful and diplomatic engagement for the safety of the participants, advocating for solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Notably, the arrest of these activists follows the detention of prominent leftist activist Greta Thunberg, along with eleven others, while they attempted to join a “Freedom Flotilla.” Israeli forces detained them and presented footage of the violent Hamas attacks on Israel from October 7 prior to their deportation. This reflects heightened tensions and ongoing complexities in the region as access to Gaza remains heavily restricted.

With the backdrop of these events, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the U.S., has begun distributing aid to the remaining residents of Gaza. However, the situation escalated tragically, with reports emerging of Hamas killing eight GHF aid workers in a recent attack on a bus heading towards an aid distribution center. The GHF condemned the attack, calling these workers humanitarians and expressing outrage at the loss of lives dedicated to help others.

In summary, Egyptian authorities have taken decisive action against hundreds of anti-Israel activists attempting to march into Gaza, resulting in numerous arrests and deportations. This crackdown aligns with mounting regional tensions and security warnings from Israel. The situation remains fluid, with various countries responding to the demonstrations, and humanitarian efforts persist in the afflicted areas, in stark contrast to rising violence against aid workers in Gaza.

Original Source: www.dailywire.com