Global March to Gaza

Since 2010, humanitarian aid boats have attempted to break the blockade of the Gaza strip, and since the Gaza war began in October 2023, activists have protested the war in major capitals. The aid vessels have all been attacked or intercepted by Israel, mostly recently in June 2025.{{cite web |date=10 June 2025 |title=What is the Global March to Gaza all about? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/10/explainer-what-is-the-global-march-for-gaza-all-about |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=Al Jazeera}}

The march is intended to take place on 15 June 2025 and last two to three days.{{cite web |date=9 June 2025 |title=Pro-Palestine convoy begin march toward Rafah, demanding total end to Gaza siege |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/global-convoy-begin-march-rafah-demand-end-gaza-siege |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=The New Arab}}{{cite web |last=Zouiten |first=Sara |date=10 June 2025 |title=Thousands Prepare for Peaceful Global March to Gaza on June 15 |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2025/06/210530/thousands-prepare-for-peaceful-global-march-to-gaza-on-june-15/ |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=Morocco World News}}

Participants began assembling on June 12 in Cairo, Egypt as planned,{{cite web |last=Hearst |first=Katherine |date=2025-06-12 |title=Egypt detains nearly 200 foreigners who flew in to join Gaza march |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-detains-and-deports-pro-palestine-activists-hundreds-arrive-cairo-gaza-march |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=Middle East Eye}} heading for Al-Arish, prior to continuing on foot to the Rafah Border Crossing.{{Cite web |title=Marching to Gaza: A convergence of conscience by land and sea - War on Gaza - War on Gaza |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/58/1262/547545/War-on-Gaza/War-on-Gaza/Marching-to-Gaza-A-convergence-of-conscience-by-la.aspx |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=Ahram Online}} Organisers plan to set up a three-day protest camp on the Egyptian side of the border, to peacefully press for the border to be opened and aid to be allowed in, prior to returning on Cairo on June 19.

The goals of the march are "stopping the genocide, delivering aid, breaking the siege, exposing IDF war crimes, and urging legal action against breaches of international law". Organisers have insisted that their goal is not to "forcibly enter Gaza", but instead attempt to establish a humanitarian corridor. The march is billed as one of the largest of it's kind in recent years, according to The Washington Post.

On 12 June 2025, around 200 people who traveled to Cairo to join the march were detained and questioned by Egyptian authorities. According to protest organisers and airport officials, dozens of participants were subsequently deported,{{cite web |title=Egypt deports dozens of activists before planned march to Gaza border |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/12/egypt-deports-dozens-of-activists-before-planned-march-to-gaza-border |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=Al Jazeera}} while others were either released or remained in custody. Among those detained were from Africa and Europe, as well as the United States and Australia.

Egyptian authorities continued to detain or expel foreign nationals attempting to join the march on 13 June. Security services confirmed that 88 people had been detained and/or deported from Cairo airport, as well as other locations.{{cite web |date=2025-06-13 |title=Egypt deports dozens more foreign nationals heading for march to Gaza |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/egypt-deports-dozens-more-foreign-nationals-heading-march-gaza-2025-06-13/ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=Reuters}} Organisers stated that 40 activists at a "toll both-turned-checkpoint" had their passports confiscated, while authorities suppressed protests. A Canadian student who was detained reported that people were stopped in hotels, ubers, cafes, and were "followed for a large portion of the morning",{{Cite web |last=Marchesan |first=John |date=2025-06-13 |title=Canadian demonstrators detained in Egypt during Global March to Gaza |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/06/13/canadian-demonstrators-detained-in-egypt-during-global-march-to-gaza/ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=CityNews Toronto |language=en}} and a Maktoob media journalist wrote that Egyptian authorities had detained both activists and reporters.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Maktoob |date=2025-06-13 |title=Global March to Gaza: Dozens detained in Egypt, Maktoob journalist Nikita Jain among them |url=https://maktoobmedia.com/gaza-genocide/global-march-to-gaza-dozens-detained-in-egypt-maktoob-journalist-nikita-jain-among-them/ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=Maktoob media |language=en-US}}

According to the organizers, police set up checkpoints around 30 kilometers from Ismailia, near the Sinai Peninsula, on the way to Rafah, which lies nearly 300 kilometers further. Passengers without Egyptian passports were ordered to leave the vehicles. Mada Masr reported participants being attacked by security forces and civilians outside of Cario, at a checkpoint towards the city of Ismailia.{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-06-13 |title=Update: Authorities use force to disperse Global March to Gaza participants |url=https://www.madamasr.com/en/2025/06/13/news/politics/egypt-deports-more-global-march-to-gaza-participants/ |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Mada Masr |language=en-US}} Based on video footage of the attacks, The New Arab reported that the civilians involved were likely baltagiya gangs, "used by the Egyptian government to attack its political opponents". However the outlet were unable to confirm such claims.{{Cite news |date=2025-06-14 |title='Baltagiya thugs' and police block Gaza aid convoy in Egypt as activists detained |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/baltagiya-thugs-and-police-block-gaza-aid-convoy-egypt |access-date=2025-06-14 |work=The New Arab}} A Member of European Parliament from Germany, Carola Rackete, stated she was forced onto a bus and sent back to Cairo, having been rejected at one of the checkpoints.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-14 |title=Sources: Egypt deports more activists seeking to march to Gaza border |url=https://nordot.app/1306634597002084737 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Deutsche Presse-Agentur |publisher= |language=en-US}}

On 14 June, it was reported that the Irish citizens detained in Egypt had been released, including People Before Profit politician Paul Murphy, after authorities had confiscated passports.{{Cite web |last=Gataveckaite |first=Gabija |date=2025-06-14 |title=Irish citizens held in Egypt including TD Paul Murphy released |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/irish-citizens-held-in-egypt-including-td-paul-murphy-released/a147471741.html |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Burne |first=Louise |last2=Heneghan |first2=Conor |date=2025-06-14 |title=Paul Murphy and March to Gaza participants released from detention in Egypt |url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/world-news/paul-murphy-global-march-gaza-31857162 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Dublin Live |language=en}} A Turkish MP stated he "was injured as a result of an attack" and former U.S. diplomat, Hala Rharrit, were also detained. According to The Telegraph, Murphy and others are awaiting deportation.

NL Times reported that 35 Dutch citizens were deported, while 65 remained in Egypt.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-14 |title=Dutch protesters detained at Egyptian checkpoints ahead of Gaza March |url=https://nltimes.nl/2025/06/14/dutch-protesters-detained-egyptian-checkpoints-ahead-gaza-march |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=NL Times |language=en}}

The civilian-led march is organised by the International Coalition Against the Israeli Occupation, a coalition of trade unions, human rights groups, and solidarity movements from over 32 countries,{{Cite news |last=Fink |first=Rachel |title=Egypt detains hundreds of activists planning to join march to Gaza border |url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2025-06-12/ty-article/.premium/egypt-detains-hundreds-of-activists-planning-to-join-march-to-gaza-border/00000197-6446-d34b-ad97-f46fa14b0000 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250612192647/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2025-06-12/ty-article/.premium/egypt-detains-hundreds-of-activists-planning-to-join-march-to-gaza-border/00000197-6446-d34b-ad97-f46fa14b0000 |archive-date=2025-06-12 |access-date=2025-06-14 |work=Haaretz.com |language=en}} chaired by Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek. Organisers have stated that the march is secular and non-partisan, and it is supported by 150 non-governmental organizations and activists from more than 50 countries. Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela is a member of the organising committee.

Initially estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 participants,{{Cite web |title=What activists hope to achieve with the 'Global March to Gaza' |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/what-activists-hope-to-achieve-global-march-for-gaza |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}} according to the organisation, around 4,000 people from more than 80 countries had arranged to fly to Cairo. All participants are volunteers covering their own expenses. One of the participants is former U.S. diplomat Hala Rharrit.{{cite web |last=Ebrahim |first=Nadeen |last2=Abekah-Mensah |first2=Annoa |date=2025-06-12 |title=Thousands head to Egypt in bid to break Israel’s Gaza blockade |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/12/middleeast/global-march-gaza-egypt-israel-blockade-intl |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=CNN}}

{{Main|Soumoud Convoy}}

The Tunisian delegation of the march, dubbed the Soumoud or Steadfast Convoy,{{Efn|soumoud means steadfastness in Aracbic}} left Tunis on 9 June and arrived in Tripoli, Libia, on 11 June. Coordinated with the Global March, it involves over 1,000 participants and consists of over one hundred vehicles, including 12 buses.{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-06-12 |title=Egypt Detains, Deports Dozens of Activists ahead of Global March to Gaza |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/egypt-detains-deports-dozens-of-activists-ahead-of-global-march-to-gaza/ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=Palestine Chronicle |language=en-US}} As of 13 June, the protest has been halted by authorities in Eastern Libya at the Libyan city of Sirte, having crossed the Libya–Tunisia border.

Groups endorsing the march include:

• International Healthworkers Alliance for Justice
• Masafer Yatta Solidarity Alliance from Palestine
• Palestinian Youth Movement
• Code Pink
• Jewish Voice for Labour
• The Million Rural Women and the Landless Association in Tunisia
• India Palestine Solidarity Forum
• Irish Anti-War Movement

Officials in Cairo stated that marches on Egyptian territory require prior approval and strict procedures, especially for sensitive areas like the Rafah border. While expressing support for Palestinian activism, the Foreign Ministry stressed the need to follow national security regulations due to instability in Sinai. Authorities said the organizers had not secured the necessary permits through official channels, and that requests made outside state procedures would not be accepted.{{cite web | last=Tabikha | first=Kamal | title=Activists detained and deported as symbolic Global March to Gaza stalls in Egypt | website=The National | date=2025-06-12 | url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/06/12/activists-face-arrest-and-deportation-from-egypt-as-symbolic-global-march-to-gaza-stalls/ | access-date=2025-06-13}}

Israel's Minister of Defence, Israel Katz, stated that if Egypt fails to stop the march, the Israeli military will take action to order to prevent them marching into Gaza.{{cite web|title= Egypt is expected to block Global March to Gaza, Israel Katz says|url= https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-857390|website=The Jerusalem Post|date=11 June 2025|author1=Yonah Jeremy Bob|author2=Mathilda Heller|access-date=12 June 2025}} Describing participants as "jihadist protesters", Katz expects that Egypt with prevent the arrival of the march.

In a statement on 13 June, activists asserted that they "continue to urge the Egyptian government to permit this peaceful march, which aligns with Egypt’s own stated commitment to restoring stability at its border and addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza".

{{See also|Soumoud Convoy#Analysis}}

According to CNN, the march creates a dilemma for Egypt, which is trying to balance its relations with Israel and the United States with its public criticism of the civilian suffering in Gaza. The Washington Post described the events as casting "an uncomfortable spotlight on Egypt", as a country that both publicly condemns the aid restrictions and has "cracked down on pro-Palestinian activists".

• May 2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a flotilla aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip
• June 2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a flotilla boarded and seized in international waters by Israeli forces

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{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://marchtogaza.net/}}

{{Gaza war}}

Category:2025 in the Gaza Strip

Category:2025 protests

Category:2025 in Israel

Category:Blockade of the Gaza Strip

Category:Gaza Strip humanitarian crisis

Category:Protests in the Gaza Strip

Category:Political activism

Category:Israel–Hamas war protests

Category:June 2025 in Africa