Latest news with #SoumoudConvoy
Arab News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Gaza marchers retreat to western Libya after being blocked
TUNIS: Pro-Palestinian activists on a march aiming to break Israel's Gaza blockade have retreated to the Misrata region of western Libya after being blocked by the authorities in the country's east, organizers said on Sunday. The 'Soumoud' convoy — meaning steadfastness in Arabic — decided to fall back near Misrata, about 200 km east of Tripoli, after being stopped by the eastern authorities. Misrata is administered by the UN-recognized Government of National Unity based in Tripoli, while military commander Khalifa Haftar controls the east. The convoy of more than 1,000 people from Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, and Tunisia had been under a 'military blockade' since Friday at the entrance to Sirte, a Haftar-controlled area. Organizers said they were subjected to a 'systematic siege,' with no access to food, water, or medicine, and communications severely disrupted. They also denounced the arrest of several convoy members, including at least three bloggers who had been documenting its journey since its departure from Tunisia on June 9. In a statement cited by Tunisia's La Presse newspaper, the Joint Action Coordination Committee for Palestine — the group behind the convoy — demanded the immediate release of 13 participants still held by eastern Libyan authorities. In an accompanying video, it reaffirmed its intention to continue the mission to Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt, with the aim of 'breaking the blockade and ending the genocide of the Palestinian people resisting in Gaza.' In Egypt, a separate initiative — the Global March to Gaza, intended to bring together participants from 80 countries — was halted on Friday by authorities en route to the city of Ismailia, east of Cairo. Dozens of activists were intercepted, reportedly beaten, had passports confiscated, and were forcibly loaded onto buses by police at multiple checkpoints, according to videos shared on social media and with AFP.
Metro
5 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Map shows where Global March to Gaza is planned to take place
Thousands of people who travelled from around the world to take part in a 30-mile march to Gaza's south-western border are currently in limbo. The Global March to Gaza was due to begin on Sunday in Arish, Egypt, where some 4,000 protesters were expected to gather and walk through the northern Sinai desert to the Rafah crossing. An estimated 1,500 of them joined a motor convoy starting nearly 2,000 miles east in Tunisia last week, while others flew into Egypt. But Egyptian authorities said they would not allow people to reach Arish without the necessary permits, and have reportedly deported around 500 people planning to take part. They include 200 activists – from countries including the US, Ireland, Morocco, Algeria, France and Sweden – who were sent home upon arriving at Cairo airport. Egypt's stance is backed by the Libyan government, which halted the motorised Soumoud Convoy inside its territory last week. Another convoy, known as the Dignity Convoy, attempted to reach Gaza via Lebanon but faced similar obstacles from local authorities. The march is billed as a 'civilian-led' non-violent protest against Israel's blockade on aid to the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Participants aimed to raise awareness through the march itself and then spend three days camped at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border. Organisers say the movement is intended to 'create international moral and media pressure' to fully open the crossing at Rafah. Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing last year, claiming Hamas leaders were using the area to organise attacks, and heavily restricted its use. Between early March and the end of May, Israel blocked all crossings at the border, with Palestinian groups saying one in five Gazans are now living in a state akin to famine. Restrictions were slightly eased last month, with wounded Palestinians allowed to leave and more aid trucks allowed in, but experts say the measures are far short of what is needed to prevent widespread famine. The Egyptian government has previously suggested that people who received authorisation would be allowed to travel the route. It said received 'numerous requests and inquiries' but it's not whether or how many permits have been given. 'Egypt holds the right to take all necessary measures to preserve its national security, including the regulation of the entry and movement of individuals within its territory, especially in sensitive border areas', the Egyptian foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, has urged Egypt to stop the protesters reaching Rafah, saying they are 'jihadists' who 'endanger the Egyptian regime and constitute a threat to all moderate Arab regimes in the region'. Egypt has publicly condemned Israel's restrictions on the Rafah crossing and called for the end of the war, however it has long attempted to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. The Sinai was the epicenter of more than a decade of terror attacks by Islamist militants against Egyptian civilians and security forces which ended in 2023 after major efforts by Egypt's military. More recently, rocket attacks on Israel by Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been used by Israel as a pretext to launch attacks in Lebanese territory. The Sinai is now treated as a highly sensitive region by Egyptian authorities, who are very cautious about comings and goings in the region. The march was organised by an international group of activists led by Saif Abukeshek, a Barcelona-based Palestinian campaigner. 'Citizens are not okay with them just being silenced [or the] silence toward the genocide', Abukeshek has said. It includes South African politician Mandla Mandela, who is a grandson of Nelson Mandela. More Trending Participants include students, aid workers, and long-time campaigners on Palestinian issues. The organising committee claims to have the support of over 150 civil society organisations, trade unions, and human rights groups from more than 80 countries. In the UK these include a number of small grassroots charities and the Jewish Voice for Labour campaign group. The group describes itself as a 'civic, apolitical, and independent movement'. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page.
See - Sada Elbalad
14-06-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
We Stand Together
Elham Aboul Fateh In a time of sudden surprises and turbulent incidents sweeping across the Middle East, the Egyptian people, under the leadership of heroic President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his firm and wise stances, are proving that they stand united in the face of challenges. The world woke up a few days ago to the Israeli strike against Iran, the Iranian response, and the escalation in the region. Egypt, thanks to the wisdom of its political leadership and the awareness of its people, is experiencing a state of cohesion and stability amidst a turbulent environment plagued by crises and conflicts. The Egyptian people, with their age-old civilization, know well that the stability of the state is the foundation for its protection. Amid this tense atmosphere, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly's meeting with the ministers responsible for food security, energy, and electricity sent a clear message that the state is taking proactive action to protect citizens and secure their fuel and electricity needs as summer approaches, and to protect the country from any potential consequences of escalation in the Gulf region or the Middle East. We all know that our region is currently experiencing stormy weather, but Egypt, thanks God, has a clear vision for securing its borders and protecting its national security in all directions, from the western border with Libya, to the southern border with Sudan, to the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, all the way to the northeast, where the Palestinian issue remains present in the heart and conscience. We cannot ignore the ongoing attempts to push Egypt into chaos, as we saw with the so-called "Soumoud Convoy (Resilience Convoy)" which moved from abroad under the banner of aid, while concealing malicious intentions at a particularly crucial time. But Egypt—its leadership and people—has been and will remain vigilant against these recurring scenarios. Today, we must all stand united behind our political leadership and be vigilant against the schemes of those seeking to sow internal confusion through chaos or incitement. This is a time for steadfastness and unity for that sake of our homeland. Egypt, which has overcome major crises and faced grave threats over the past years, is today capable—thanks to God, and to the wisdom of its leadership and the cohesion of its people—of overcoming this phase and remaining as it has always been. read more Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why? Analysis: Russia, Turkey... Libya in Return For Syria? Analysis: Who Will Gain Trump's Peace Plan Fruits? Analysis: Will Turkey's Erdogan Resort to Snap Election? Analysis: What Are Turkey's Aspirations in Iraq? Opinion & Analysis Analysis: Mercenaries In Libya... Who Should Be Blamed? Opinion & Analysis Analysis- How 'Libya Nightmare' Takes Erdogan to Algiers Opinion & Analysis Analysis: What Happens After Brexit? Opinion & Analysis Analysis: Strategic Significance of Libya's Sirte, Jufra! News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Egypt Independent
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Egypt sets strict protocols for Gaza border access amid the Soumoud Convoy arrival
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement regarding the Soumoud Convoy (Resilience Convoy) aimed at breaking the siege on Gaza, which departed from Tunisia with the intention of reaching Egyptian territory bordering the Gaza Strip. In a statement released Wednesday evening, Egypt welcomed international and regional positions, both official and popular, that support Palestinian rights and reject the siege, starvation, and blatant, systematic Israeli violations against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Egypt affirmed its continued efforts at all levels to end the aggression on the Strip and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe affecting over 2 million Palestinian brethren. The Ministry emphasized that, 'in light of recent requests and inquiries regarding visits by foreign delegations to the border area adjacent to Gaza, specifically the city of Al-Arish and the Rafah Crossing, to express support for Palestinian rights, Egypt stresses the necessity of obtaining prior approvals for such visits.' Egypt underscored that 'the only way for Egyptian authorities to continue considering such requests is by adhering to the regulatory controls and mechanism in place since the start of the war on Gaza. This involves submitting an official request to Egyptian embassies abroad, or through requests made by foreign embassies in Cairo, or representatives of organizations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.' The Ministry also noted that 'numerous visits by foreign delegations, both governmental and non-governmental human rights organizations, have previously been arranged.' Egypt affirmed the importance of adhering to these established regulatory controls to ensure the security of visiting delegations, given the sensitive situation in that border region since the onset of the Gaza crisis. It stated that 'no requests or responses will be considered for invitations received outside the framework defined by the established organizational controls and mechanism.' It also highlighted the importance of citizens from all countries adhering to the laws and regulations governing entry into Egyptian territory, including obtaining the necessary visas or prior permits. Finally, Egypt reiterated its steadfast position in supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land and rejecting blatant Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law. It emphasized the importance of pressuring Israel to end the blockade on the Strip and allow humanitarian access through all routes and Israeli crossings with the Strip.
News24
12-06-2025
- Politics
- News24
Israel calls on Egypt to stop overland convoy from reaching Gaza
Israel asked Egypt not to allow pro-Palestinian convoys to enter Gaza. Two convoys have yet to get permission from Egypt for their plans. A French delegation, said that several French nationals were detained in their hotels. Israel's defence minister on Wednesday called on Egypt to block two pro-Palestinian activist convoys planning to head to Egypt's Rafah border crossing with Gaza. 'I expect the Egyptian authorities to prevent the arrival of jihadist protesters at the Egypt-Israel border and not to allow them to carry out provocations or attempt to enter Gaza,' Israel Katz said in a statement. Katz added that such actions 'would endanger the safety of (Israeli) soldiers and will not be allowed'. His comments came as hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on a Gaza-bound convoy arrived in the Libyan capital, driving eastward with the stated aim of breaking Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory. The Soumoud convoy - meaning steadfastness in Arabic - left Tunis in buses and cars on Monday, hoping to pass through divided Libya and Egypt, which organisers say has yet to provide passage permits, to reach Gaza. READ | 17 killed in Gaza as Palestinians scramble for 'drop in the ocean' food aid Egypt said on Wednesday that it backs efforts to put 'pressure on Israel' to lift its blockade on Gaza, but added that any foreign delegations seeking to visit the border area must receive prior approval through official channels. Chedly Ben Ibrahim/NurPhoto via Getty Images Egypt 'asserts the importance of putting pressure on Israel to end the blockade on the (Gaza) Strip', the foreign ministry said in a statement. It added that Egypt 'will not consider any requests or respond to any invitations submitted outside the framework defined by the regulatory guidelines and the mechanisms followed in this regard'. The Sinai Peninsula is a tightly controlled security zone, with access routes frequently punctuated by military and police checkpoints. READ | Israel set to deport Greta Thunberg and 'selfie yacht' crew as 'symbolic' Gaza land convoy launched After 20 months of war, Israel is facing mounting international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza to alleviate widespread shortages of food and basic supplies. The United Nations has said the Palestinian territory was 'the hungriest place on Earth'. Eyad Baba/AFP Another activist group, the Global March to Gaza, which is coordinating with Soumoud, said it is organising a separate mobilisation starting in Cairo on Friday. Organisers told AFP on Wednesday that around 4 000 participants are expected to join the march, adding they are not planning to enter Gaza. According to the plan, activists would travel by bus to the city of Arish in northern Sinai before walking on foot for 50km to the Gaza border. Participants would then camp near the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing for a few days and return to Cairo on 19 June. AFP Catherine Le Scolan-Quere, spokesperson for the group's French delegation, said that several French nationals who arrived in Egypt to take part in the event were detained in their hotels or upon arrival at Cairo airport. Carolie Laghouati, a 39-year-old French nurse, said her friend along with nine others were detained by the Egyptian police at Cairo airport. 'We're locked up here, they tell us not to leave, they don't tell us what's going on, our passports are confiscated,' said her friend in a video sent to AFP. The spokesperson of the French delegation hoped the permits would be issued 'quickly' by the Egyptian embassy in Paris and the French embassy in Cairo.
