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The independent outlet Mada Masr revealed that Egyptian authorities stopped several individuals who arrived to participate in the “Convoy of Steadfastness” and returned them from Cairo Airport, while others who had already entered Egyptian territory were deported.
The Convoy of Steadfastness is a gathering of volunteers from various North African countries aiming to reach Rafah and protest the failure to deliver aid to Gaza. Amid public support, the convoy entered Libyan territory on Wednesday, despite Israeli opposition to its approach toward the Strip. On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urged Egyptian authorities to prevent the convoy from reaching Gaza, stressing that “this step will not be permitted.”
The Global March to Gaza website indicated that the plan involved reaching Cairo by June 12, then traveling the next day in separate groups by bus to Al-Arish, from where participants would start a 48-kilometer march to Rafah. They intended to stay briefly from June 15 to 19, then return to Cairo—pending approvals from the Egyptian government.
On June 11, 2025, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement welcoming international and regional stances supporting Palestinian rights and condemning Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip. The statement emphasized that obtaining prior approvals is a fundamental condition for visiting the Rafah crossing and the border area, especially for foreign visitors, in the context of respecting Egyptian sovereignty and considering security requirements.
However, shortly after the statement was released, reports emerged that Egyptian authorities had begun deporting several participants in the Convoy of Steadfastness, justifying this with the lack of necessary documents and official permits to enter the country.
A government source, who requested anonymity, told Mada Masr that Cairo had already attempted to communicate with relevant authorities in concerned countries to prevent participants from arriving in Egypt. The source noted that none of them would be allowed to proceed to Rafah, due to sovereignty and security considerations. Even before the Foreign Ministry’s statement, Cairo Airport authorities had begun detaining and returning some of the would-be participants, while others already inside the country were deported.
Algerian lawyer Fatiha Rouibi stated that Egyptian security forces have been detaining 40 Algerian citizens—including three lawyers—at Cairo Airport since this morning, preventing them from entering the country to join the convoy.
Similarly, a Moroccan activist told Mada Masr—on condition of anonymity—that Cairo Airport authorities deported more than ten members of the Moroccan delegation after they arrived to participate in the convoy.
Egyptian authorities also deported several Turkish citizens who had arrived in Cairo for the same purpose after they were seen holding Palestinian flags outside their hotel.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Convoy of Steadfastness to Break the Siege on Gaza said that it had initiated various communications with Egyptian authorities weeks ago. They clarified that outreach was conducted via the Egyptian embassy in Tunisia and through intermediaries in Cairo. “We also officially contacted the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and clarified the nature and objectives of the land convoy,” the statement read. “We do not wish, nor intend, to enter Egypt without the approval of the authorities and coordination regarding the various entry procedures.”
In a related development, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s office reported that he had ordered the army to prevent what he called "Jihadi protesters" from entering Gaza through Egypt. Gallant stated that he expected Egyptian authorities to block what he described as "jihadist demonstrators" from reaching what he called the Egyptian-Israeli border, and from carrying out provocations or attempting to enter Gaza. He added that their arrival could endanger the safety of Israeli soldiers.
In a press conference today, the march organizers reiterated that their goal is to bring approximately 4,000 participants from more than 35 countries to the Rafah crossing on foot, to demand an end to the war on Gaza and to allow thousands of aid trucks to enter. They also aim to pressure their governments to impose sanctions on Israel.
The organizers expressed understanding of Egypt’s security concerns, stressing that they had sent official letters to the Egyptian government clarifying that the march poses no threat to Egypt and aligns with Cairo’s efforts to reach a ceasefire. They also emphasized their commitment to excluding any Egyptian delegations from the march, in respect of Egypt’s internal matters.
The detention and deportation measures carried out by Egyptian authorities have raised questions about the consistency between official solidarity statements and actual practices on the ground. Attention now turns to the coming days, amid continued international calls to open humanitarian corridors and ensure aid reaches civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
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