Libya and Egypt halt Gaza bound activists

Pro‑Palestinian demonstrators en route to Gaza were intercepted in Libya and Egypt on Friday, organisers told AFP. Forty participants of the Global March to Gaza had their passports seized at a checkpoint near Cairo, while another fifteen were detained in their hotels. “We are a peaceful movement and complying with Egyptian law,” insisted the group, which includes activists from France, Spain, Canada, Turkey and the UK. Videos received by AFP show security forces forcibly dispersing sit‑ins; one participant said women were “molested and carried like cattle onto the bus” before deportation.

Separately, Tunisia‑initiated “Soumoud” convoy carrying roughly 1,000 activists from across the Maghreb was turned back at Libya’s Sirte. Organisers say Egyptian permission is required for passage. “We will not turn back,” a spokesman declared. Egyptian authorities reportedly detained or expelled over 200 participants during the week. The foreign ministry acknowledged supporting pressure on Israel but warned that groups must obtain transit authorisation.