Melanie Johanna Schweizer, spokesperson for the Global March to Gaza (GMTG), affirmed that the initiative—bringing hundreds of international solidarity activists to the Rafah crossing— “will continue to carry the message forward,” despite the detention of several participants at a security checkpoint on their way to North Sinai on Friday.
Some were also injured following attacks by civilians in the presence of Egyptian security forces, according to a statement obtained by Al Manassa.
Hundreds of international marchers staged a sit-in between the two gates of Ismailia on Friday evening after being stopped en route from Cairo to Rafah as part of the Global March to Gaza, which aims to break the Israeli blockade on the Palestinian enclave.
A group of civilians assaulted the protesters in the presence of security personnel, who later intervened and forced the activists onto buses that returned them to Cairo, the GMTG organizers said.
Organizers also reported that some participants remain missing, with unconfirmed accounts suggesting they were removed from hotel rooms. They have urged all groups to report the names of detained, deported, or missing individuals to help ensure their safety
The Egyptian authorities have begun legal proceedings that may result in deportations, the statement added.
Videos circulated online showed police escorting international participants out of the Ismailia youth hostel on Friday afternoon and forcing them onto buses in preparation for deportation. Additional footage shared on Instagram showed security forces stopping vehicles along the Cairo-Ismailia highway and checking the passengers’ passports.
Organizers added that participants were held for several hours at a checkpoint without any clear explanation. In response, some sat peacefully by the roadside. “There was no violence from the group at any point,” the statement said. Several individuals were later detained and some sustained injuries.
The statement added that “no criminal charges have been brought against any participants and no accusations of unlawful conduct have been made.” The group included delegates from over 80 countries, who had been staying in hotels across Cairo and Ismailia, and were traveling to a designated gathering point to meet in person ahead of the planned peaceful march.
The march was scheduled to begin its overland journey to Rafah on Friday, culminating in a peaceful sit-in at Gaza’s doorstep to demand entry for humanitarian aid and an end to the siege.
“It was planned that participants would rest, organize, and wait for further instructions while negotiations with Egyptian authorities continued in order to secure formal authorization to proceed to Rafah,” the statement read.
“We came to stand with Gaza and we are still standing,” said spokeswoman Melanie Johanna Schweizer. “We will regroup, we will care for one another, and we will continue to carry this message forward. What we face here is nothing compared to what Palestinians in Gaza face every day.”
The statement did not clarify whether any marchers remain in detention. Irish MP Paul Murphy, of the People Before Profit party, wrote on X on Friday that he and several fellow Irish nationals had been released after being detained while participating in the march. However, he noted that their mobile phones were still being held by authorities.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris said on Saturday he had spoken to Murphy, confirming that all passports had been returned to the Irish participants, though some of their phones remained confiscated.
In a post on X, Saif Abukeshek, one of the march organizers, said that the majority of detained individuals had been released and were safe, while those deported were confirmed to be “okay and in high spirits” according to their emergency contacts.
“We are in touch with all delegations to stay updated about every person who has participated,” he said. “We are staying until the 20th of June, as initially planned, and we will use every individual opportunity to keep the focus on Gaza.
No Turning Back
Samuel Crettenand, one of the GMTG organizers, told Al Manassa, “We are still trying to confirm that everyone is safe. We are working to contact the different groups and verify the information we're receiving.”
He added: “It’s still not clear what the next step will be, but we’re not giving up on the march. From the start, we knew this wouldn’t be easy, but we are determined to reach Rafah to call for a humanitarian corridor and to save lives in Gaza. We are here for Gaza.”
Crettenand stressed the urgency of the mission, saying, “We do not lose sight of the fact that the situation in Palestine is extremely dangerous, and that our brothers and sisters are being exterminated today, more by starvation than by bombing. We are therefore determined to continue our efforts, and there is no other option than the one we are currently pursuing.”
He noted that each participant joined the march by personal decision: “We’re not asking anyone to stay or leave. Everyone has the right to decide individually. Our role is to help coordinate so we move together.”
He also confirmed that communication with embassies had helped prevent forced deportations. “There were ambassadors and diplomats at the airport who intervened because deportation under these circumstances violates international law. That’s why we were taken to the airport, but no one could be forced to leave.”
Gaza Still Besieged
Regarding tensions between Iran and Israel, Crettenand said, “What’s happening in Iran doesn’t change anything for us.”
Since Friday, tensions between Iran and Israel have dramatically escalated into direct missile and air strikes. Israel initiated a major offensive, “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military sites, and senior commanders and scientists.
In retaliation, Iran launched multiple waves of drones and ballistic missiles towards Israel, hitting areas including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Both sides have reported casualties and damage, with Israel's Iron Dome defense system intercepting many projectiles, but some still getting through. Both nations have indicated intentions to continue their strikes, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
“Gaza is still under siege, and today needs us more than ever, especially with the total communications blackout. We are here for Gaza, and that hasn’t changed,” Crettenand said.
Asked why the march came through Egypt rather than Israel, Crettenand said, “We have always been clear with the Egyptian government that this is a Western genocide and that Egypt has never been our target. We met the ambassadors and wrote it 100 times, asking for help from the government. The aid is piled in Rafah, and we are asking for the same thing that Egypt is asking for.”
Swiss activist and Palestine-focused podcaster Emma Bourjas told Al Manassa that Israel would have never allowed the GMTG activists in. “Many of our marchers are of Palestinian descent,” she said. “The march was a peaceful movement that was communicated to the Egyptian government through different embassies. We even met with representatives. We never expected what happened.”
On his end, Abukeshek affirmed that while Cairo may be a temporary base, the effort to mobilize global support will continue long after June 20.
“Here in Cairo, this mission is one step. As soon as we are back from here, we will continue our work, strategize, and define our next steps. The world is mobilising for Gaza,” he said.
Egypt has kept the Rafah crossing closed since May 2024, after Israeli forces seized control of the Palestinian side and raised their flag. Cairo has refused to coordinate with Israel and continues to demand a full withdrawal from the area.
