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BREAKING: Statement by Egypt’s MFA:
“Regulatory Guidelines for Visiting the Border Area Adjacent to the Gaza Strip
The Arab Republic of Egypt welcomes international and regional—official and popular—positions supporting Palestinian rights and rejecting the siege, starvation, and the blatant and systematic Israeli violations against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Egypt affirms in this regard its continued work at all levels to end the aggression on the Strip and the humanitarian catastrophe that has afflicted more than 2 million of our Palestinian brothers and sisters.
In this context, and in light of requests and inquiries regarding visits by foreign delegations to the border area adjacent to Gaza (the city of Arish and the Rafah crossing) during the recent period, aimed at expressing support for Palestinian rights, Egypt affirms the necessity of obtaining prior approvals to carry out such visits. The only way for the Egyptian authorities to continue considering such requests is by following the regulatory guidelines and the mechanism that has been in place since the beginning of the war on Gaza. This involves submitting a formal request to Egyptian embassies abroad, or through requests submitted by foreign embassies in Cairo or by representatives of organizations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is noted that many visits by foreign delegations—whether governmental or from non-governmental human rights organizations—have already been arranged.
Egypt affirms the importance of adhering to these regulatory guidelines, which have been set to ensure the safety of visiting delegations due to the sensitive conditions in the border area since the beginning of the crisis in Gaza. In this regard, Egypt confirms that no requests or appeals submitted outside the framework defined by the regulatory guidelines and the established mechanism will be considered or responded to.
Egypt also affirms the importance of all citizens of foreign countries complying with the laws and regulations governing entry into Egyptian territory, including obtaining the appropriate visas or prior permits as required.
Egypt stresses its firm stance in support of the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land, and its rejection of the flagrant Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law. It affirms the importance of putting pressure on Israel to end the siege on the Strip and to allow humanitarian access through all Israeli roads and crossings into the Strip.”

️BREAKING:
“The Steering Committee of the “Sumud” (steadfastness) convoy to Break the Siege on Gaza and Stop the Genocide wishes to address our brothers in Egypt with the following:
This convoy does not carry any specific political or ideological affiliation. It is a popular Maghreb initiative made up of citizens, including civil society actors from diverse backgrounds. It holds no biased stance against the Egyptian government and has no relation to Egypt’s internal affairs. Its relationship with the Egyptian authorities is limited to coordination over the legal, administrative, and security matters related to the caravan’s movement on Egyptian soil—just as it has coordinated with the authorities in Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.
The sole aim of this convoy is to contribute to breaking the unjust siege on our people in Gaza and to stop their extermination. It is not intended to pressure or embarrass any of the countries it passes through.
We also share Egypt’s position rejecting the displacement of our people in Gaza toward Egypt.
We value Egypt’s sensitivity regarding its sovereignty over its borders. That is why our caravan took the initiative weeks ago to reach out to the Egyptian authorities through various channels—whether via its embassy in Tunisia or intermediaries in Cairo. We also officially contacted the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clearly explaining the nature and goals of the Sumud land convoy. We do not wish nor intend to enter Egypt without the authorities’ approval and coordination on all entry procedures.
We had previously clarified in an official meeting with the Egyptian ambassador in Tunisia that, if Egyptian authorities allow us to reach the Rafah crossing, we will not use our presence in Egypt to make any statements against the Egyptian authorities. Our message will be directed solely against the Zionist enemy that is exterminating and starving our people in Gaza.
In conclusion, we hold great hope that Egypt and its noble people will respond to this historic and decisive moment for the fate of Palestine and the Arab nation. We are confident that Egypt—who has made enormous sacrifices from the blood of its people and its resources—will not reject the entry of its brothers and sisters from across the Arab world, who seek only to support the people of Gaza, break the siege, demand an end to the genocide, ensure the entry of humanitarian aid, and reject displacement plans.

️JUST IN: Somoud Convoy to Break the Siege on Gaza:
The convoy does not hold any biased position against the Egyptian government and has no connection to the internal affairs of Egypt.
The caravan’s interaction with Egyptian authorities is limited to communication regarding legal, administrative, and security matters—just as it was in Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.
The sole objective of the caravan is to help break the unjust siege on our people in Gaza and to stop their extermination. It is not intended to pressure any country.
We respect the sensitivity of the Egyptian state regarding its sovereignty over its borders. That is why, weeks ago, we took the initiative to reach out to the Egyptian authorities through various channels.
We do not wish, nor intend, to enter Egypt without the authorities’ approval and mutual understanding regarding all entry procedures.
In our meeting with the Egyptian ambassador in Tunisia, we made it clear that we will not attempt to use our presence in Egypt to issue any statements against the Egyptian authorities.
Our message will be directed solely at the Zionist enemy that is exterminating and starving our people in Gaza.
Coordinator of the “Sumoud” Convoy to Break the Siege on Gaza, Marwan bin Qataya, to Shehab News:
Maghreb delegations will join the convoy heading toward the Libyan-Egyptian border, to cross Egyptian territory and reach the Gaza Strip.
The convoy continues its journey to the Libyan-Egyptian border, where the Mauritanian delegation will join, and Libyans are mobilizing crowds to participate.
Thousands from the Maghreb peoples will gather at the Libyan-Egyptian border to enter Egypt and cross through the Rafah crossing to stand with the free people of Gaza—for one goal, with hostility toward no one: to break the siege.
The convoy’s purpose is to break the siege on the people of Gaza, who have been starving, thirsting, and facing extermination for over 20 months.
These peoples rise in a time of silence and betrayal, to make their voices heard: enough of this siege on Gaza, enough of the aggression—this war must end, and aid must be allowed in.
Mike