What is the Global March to Gaza and why is Egypt arresting the participants?

Egypt have detained more than 200 pro-Palestinian activists in Cairo on Thursday, who were planning to march to Egypt’s Rafah border crossing on Friday to call for increased humanitarian aid access in the Gaza Strip.

Among the detainees were people from Algeria, Australia, France, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States who aimed to break the Israeli blockade that has pushed the territory to the brink of famine.

Over 4,000 volunteers from more than 80 nations are taking part in the Global March to Gaza on Friday as protesters march towards Egypt’s Rafah border crossing, demanding increased humanitarian access to the blockaded Palestinian enclave.

According to the organizers, the demonstration has gained backing from the likes of Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, a former South African legislator and great-grandson of Nelson Mandela, and Hala Rharrit, a former State Department diplomat in the U.S. who stepped down in protest at Washington’s policy on the Gaza war under the Biden administration.

“This is just another way, another means for people to raise their voices, to tell the governments that we are not happy,” said Uzma Usmani, sponsorship and logistics coordinator of the UK delegation. “We have to take things into our own hands, raise awareness, put pressure on all the various governments so that they begin acting.”

Now in its 21st month, the Gaza war has mobilized international solidarity campaigns, with high-profile campaigners stepping up efforts to oppose the continued blockade.

Last week, the Israeli military stopped the aid ship Madleen, which was trying to arrive in Gaza via sea. On board the activists were Swedish environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who were both arrested and deported to Israel upon the confiscation of the vessel.