March to Gaza blocked

I had hoped the Global March to Gaza might do what no one has been able to accomplish, create the conditions for actions to bring humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza who Israel is intentionally starving. Unfortunately the March was prevented from crossing Egypt to Gaza.

The goals of the March were to challenge the Israeli blockade, demand humanitarian aid access, pressure governments to act, end genocide, end siege, create a permanant humanitarian corridor, highlight the plight of Palestinians and expose the inaction of international governments.

The March has been stopped as illustrated below.

Egypt’s handling of the situation, officially framed as a necessary safeguard for national security in the volatile Sinai region, was shaped by complex pressures and a deeply entrenched strategic objective—to prevent the large-scale displacement of Palestinians. Caught in an impossible position, Cairo faced mounting Israeli and Western demands to halt the demonstration, while also bracing for domestic and international backlash over suppressing a peaceful, humanitarian-driven movement. The preemptive dismantling of the march was a calculated move, designed to avert a symbolic and political standoff at the Rafah border that could have undermined Egypt’s official stance and forced an unavoidable confrontation.

Actor	Stated Position/Objective	Key Actions Taken	Official Justification/Quote
Global March Organizers	To create “moral and media pressure” to break the siege on Gaza and allow humanitarian aid. ¹	Organized a multi-pronged protest involving a land march, a sea flotilla, and a regional convoy. ³	“We are a peaceful movement and we are complying with Egyptian law.” ⁶
Egypt	To uphold national sovereignty and security, particularly in the sensitive North Sinai region. ¹	Blocked activists at airports and checkpoints; used force to disperse protesters; detained and deported hundreds. ¹	“Egypt holds the right to take all necessary measures to preserve its national security… especially in sensitive border areas.” ¹
Israel	To prevent any breach of its naval and land blockade of Gaza, which it claims is for security purposes. ⁷	Intercepted the “Madleen” aid flotilla at sea; detained and deported activists; publicly called on Egypt to stop the land march. ²	Labeled protesters as “jihadists” who “endanger the Egyptian regime and constitute a threat to all moderate Arab regimes.” ¹
United States	To support Israel’s right to defend itself and prevent Hamas from benefiting from aid; to promote the GHF as an alternative aid channel. ³¹	Opposed UN resolutions calling for an unconditional ceasefire; provided diplomatic and political support for Israel’s position. ¹⁹	Blamed Hamas for prolonging the conflict and stated that shielding Hamas “does nothing to improve the lives of Palestinians.” ³¹
United Nations	To demand an immediate ceasefire, hostage release, and unrestricted humanitarian access to prevent famine and further loss of life. ¹⁹	UNGA passed a resolution demanding a ceasefire; UN officials and Special Rapporteurs condemned the blockade and the treatment of activists. ¹¹	“Palestinians have been presented the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food.” (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) ²⁰