Egypt Daily News – Egypt has issued its first official statement regarding the “Caravan of Steadfastness to Gaza,” emphasizing that all foreign delegations intending to visit the border region adjacent to the Gaza Strip must obtain prior approval. The statement, released Wednesday by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflects the country’s heightened security concerns and the complex dynamics of the ongoing war in Gaza.
The ministry welcomed “regional and international, official and popular, positions that support Palestinian rights,” but stressed the need for coordination and strict adherence to existing protocols.
“In light of recent requests and inquiries by foreign delegations seeking to visit the border region with Gaza (including Al-Arish city and the Rafah crossing) to express solidarity with Palestinian rights, Egypt affirms the necessity of obtaining prior approvals for such visits,” the statement read.
It outlined that the only legitimate path for consideration of such visits is through the established procedures in place since the start of the war. Requests must be formally submitted via Egyptian embassies abroad, or through foreign embassies in Cairo or recognized organizations submitting directly to Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement also underscored the importance of adhering to these regulatory measures to ensure the safety of visiting delegations, given the sensitive security conditions near the border since the onset of the Gaza conflict. It warned that no requests falling outside the approved framework would be considered or responded to.
Egypt further reiterated that all foreign nationals must comply with Egyptian laws and entry requirements, including obtaining the necessary visas or travel permits in advance.
Meanwhile, a convoy named “Caravan of Steadfastness” departed from Tunisia earlier this week, carrying activists from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania. By Wednesday morning, the convoy had reached Tripoli, Libya, on its way toward Egypt as part of the larger “Caravan of Steadfastness to Gaza” movement. The initiative, supported by both Arab and international solidarity groups, aims to reach the Rafah border crossing to call for humanitarian aid entry into Gaza and a ceasefire.
In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz urged Egypt to block the convoy’s access to the border. In a statement on Wednesday, he said, “I expect Egyptian authorities to prevent jihadist protesters from reaching the Israeli-Egyptian border or attempting to provoke or enter Gaza. Such actions pose a threat to Israeli Defense Forces and will not be tolerated.”
Adding a notable dimension to the movement, former U.S. diplomat Hala Rharrit, who resigned from the Biden administration in protest over its Gaza policy, announced that she plans to join the march. Rharrit said efforts are underway to coordinate with Egyptian embassies worldwide to facilitate the event, highlighting that the march aligns with “support for Egypt’s diplomatic efforts to deliver aid and secure a ceasefire.”
The latest developments also follow Israel’s interception of the aid ship “Madelene” in international waters early Monday. The ship was attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Several prominent activists on board, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, were detained and deported. Others remain in Israeli custody awaiting deportation.
