The Global March to Gaza announced that Egyptian police officers arrested three of its participants on Monday afternoon.
In a statement seen by Al Manassa, the GMTG leadership called on Egyptian authorities to “end their illegal and abusive tactics against peaceful advocates.”
According to the statement, the three individuals — Jonas Selhi (Norway), Huthayfa Abuserriya (Norway), and Saif Abukeshek (Spain) — were “abducted by secret police” while sitting at a café in Cairo around 4:30 pm on Monday.
Jonas was reportedly allowed a brief phone call from detention, during which he said the three were “blindfolded, handcuffed, interrogated, and brutally beaten.” The statement noted that Saif, a Spanish citizen of Palestinian origin, was subjected to particularly harsh treatment.
Selhi and Abuserriya were transferred to the Cairo airport detention center and later deported, despite no formal charges being brought against them. Abukeshek’s deportation is pending.
The Global March to Gaza, which drew participants from more than 50 countries, was originally set to begin a land journey towards the Rafah border crossing last Friday, ending with a peaceful sit-in near Gaza to demand the entry of humanitarian aid and an end to the blockade. However, Egyptian authorities blocked participants at checkpoints along the Cairo-Ismailia highway that morning and confiscated their passports.
Footage shared online showed several participants being escorted from a youth hostel in Ismailia and forced onto buses in preparation for deportation.
The March organizers expressed “deep concern about the ongoing escalation of unlawful detentions targeting individuals associated with our peaceful mission,” despite the group’s coordination with Egyptian authorities, adherence to local and regional laws, and formal declaration that it would no longer conduct activities in Egypt.
Organizers confirmed on Monday that no further actions are planned inside Egypt for now.
The march leadership and participants reiterated their commitment to complying with Egyptian laws until their departure and urged authorities “to immediately de-escalate, release all detainees, and allow all participants in the march to return home safely.”
GMTG also called on people around the world to take action by contacting Egyptian embassies in their countries to demand the release of detained participants and ensure the safe passage of those attempting to exit the country peacefully.
Israel had previously called on Egyptian authorities to prevent pro-Palestinian activists from reaching the border area adjacent to Gaza or attempting to enter the blockaded territory.
The Rafah border crossing remains effectively sealed, as Israel’s control over the Palestinian side and its broader blockade of Gaza continue to choke off nearly all humanitarian aid, despite Egypt’s readiness to facilitate shipments on its territory.
Since the beginning of the war on Gaza in October 2023, Israel has restricted the flow of food, medicine, fuel, and other essentials, exacerbating a deepening humanitarian crisis marked by severe shortages and collapsing medical infrastructure.
While Cairo enforces tight security measures and limits access on its side, it lacks the ability to override Israel’s closure, which remains the principal barrier to aid reaching Gaza from Rafah and Karm Abu Salem crossings.
International agencies and the United Nations have repeatedly called on Israel to ease restrictions, warning that the blockade risks a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe.
