At least three Irish people who have travelled to Egypt to take part in a protest walk to the Gaza border have been detained in Cairo.
Around 3,000 activist from across the world are due begin a march across the Sinai dessert on Friday to the Rafah border — including dozens of Irish campaigners — demanding the opening of all crossings, the entry of aid, and an end to the bombardment.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that it has been contacted by “a small number of citizens and is providing consular assistance”.
As well as Irish citizens, campaigners from the US, Australia, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Morocco and Algeria have been detained after arriving in Egypt.
“Over 200 participants were detained at Cairo airport or questioned at hotels across Cairo,” the march’s spokesperson Saif Abukeshek told the AFP.
Mr Abukeshek said plain-clothes police entered hotels in Cairo with lists of names, questioned activists and in some cases, confiscated mobile phones and searched personal belongings.
“After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released,” he added.
DFA has urged all citizens to heed advice which strongly warns against travel to the Governorate of North Sinai, including the Taba-Suez Road, where the security situation is “extremely dangerous”.
People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy ahead of his trip where he plans attend the ‘March to Gaza’. Picture: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos
“Travel to Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, the vicinity of the Rafah border crossing is particularly dangerous at the moment and the border crossing is currently closed,” DFA advice currently states.
In total around 40 Irish people, including TD Paul Murphy, are hoping to take part in the protest march which is expected to take a number of days to arrive at the border.
Since March this year, all of the crossings entering Gaza have been blocked by Israel — no food, water, or medical supplies have been allowed to enter, which the group wants to highlight through its peaceful protest.
