Egyptian authorities have detained and deported more than 200 pro-Palestinian activists who had gathered in Cairo to participate in the Global March to Gaza, an international demonstration aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade and demanding unrestricted humanitarian aid access to the besieged territory.

According to organizers, plainclothes officers entered Cairo hotels, questioning activists, searching their belongings, and in some cases confiscating their phones.

Many were held for hours at Cairo International Airport, with at least 73 foreign nationals deported to Istanbul on Thursday, while 100 more awaited deportation.

Egyptian officials stated that activists had attempted to travel to Northern Sinai “without obtaining required authorizations”, citing national security concerns.

The Egyptian government has historically clamped down on protests related to its diplomatic ties with Israel, despite public sympathy for Palestinians.

Activists from the United States, Australia, France, Spain, Algeria, and Morocco were among those detained. A group of Greek activists condemned the detentions, stating that they had followed all legal procedures but were still prevented from entering the country.

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