Latest news with #GlobalMarchonGaza
Metro
23-06-2025
- Metro
Travel advice for Egypt after Trump hits Iran
Egypt has long been a popular choice for British travellers, but Israel's attack on Iran and the strikes that followed have raised concern over its safety as a holiday destination. Egypt welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists from the UK each year, with coastal resorts like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh luring visitors with affordable prices and all-inclusive deals. The country's popularity took a hit in 2015, when a terror attack on a Russian passenger plane killed all 224 people onboard shortly after take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh airport. The Foreign Office ordered Egyptian authorities to overhaul security, which they did. But now conflict between Egypt's regional neighbours threatens the tourism it relies on once again. Egypt's Sinai region borders Israel and the Gaza Strip, but most of the country's major tourist destinations are much further south, along the Red Sea. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Sharm el-Sheikh, the closest resort, is over two-and-a-half hours' drive from the nearest border town. The Egyptian capital, Cairo, as well as ancient favourites such as Luxor and Alexandria, are even further away. While the UK Foreign Office has been warning about travel to some parts of Egypt (more on that below), most of the popular tourist spots are still considered safe. Holiday companies and airlines continue to operate, but if that changes, we'll update this explainer immediately. In terms of what's happening in Gaza right now, the Foreign Office warns that international borders between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories could close without notice. You should keep up to date with local news updates and check official travel advice before trying to cross. The Foreign Office advises against all travel to the North Sinai around five-and-a-half hours' drive form the Israeli border. El-Arish, the capital and largest city of the North Sinai region, was the starting point of the Global March on Gaza, which aims to pressure world leaders to end Israel's war on the Palestinian enclave. Last week, Egyptian security forces have clashed with activists, with reports of some being pulled off the road as they staged a sit-in. We've got a map of the full route that you can see here. @metrouk A Welsh nurse who has witnessed the war in Gaza first hand, has gone viral after pleading with Egyptian police to allow protestors from @globalmarchtogaza to Gaza to continue to Rafah. 4,000 protesters from 80 countries are planning to march to the Egypt's border with Gaza with the stated aim of breaking Israel's blockade on the territory by delivering aid. Organisers say the passports of at least 40 people were confiscated, after demonstrators demanded to be let through a checkpoint and that security forces began forcibly detaining people. #worldnews #globalmarchtogaza #globalmarchpalestine #egypt #rafah #border #welsh #nurse ♬ original sound – Metro – Metro Elsewhere, the Foreign Office advises against all travel to within 20km of the border with Libya, which is on the western side of Egypt, far from Israel and Gaza. The only exception in that region is the town of El Salloum, where the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel. That guidance also applies to the Hala'ib Triangle, the northern part of the South Sinai Governorate (except for coastal areas), the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal, and the Western Desert, except for a number of areas. These are the ones most tourists will want to know about: Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis Package holidays to Egypt are still operating as usual, and, because the Foreign Office has not advised against travel, there is no prospect of being able to cancel for a full refund. Travel insurance is unlikely to help, either. Insurers will argue there is no reason not to go. If FCDO advice changes to advising against all travel, you can cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund. Airlines have cancelled a number flights to Dubai and Doha in Qatar since Saturday, but routes to Egypt have not been affected, at least not yet. In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched an unprecedented strike that targeted Iran's nuclear and military sites. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon that posed an imminent threat to Israel. Iran, for its part, insists it doesn't want nuclear weapons. Israel is widely acknowledged to have nuclear weapons, though it has never publicly confirmed it. In the early hours of Sunday, Donald Trump ordered US strikes on three of Iran's key underground nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Esfehan. Seven US B-2 stealth bombers dropped some 30,000 pounds of bunker-busters, while Trump openly mulled overthrowing the Iranian regime. That move, which was made without passing through Congress, has dragged the US into war. In an update on the Foreign Office pages for several destinations, the UK warns that 'ongoing hostilities' have the potential to 'deteriorate quickly'. They are: The UAE (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi) Qatar Kuwait Bahrain Oman Saudi Arabia. Travellers are also concerned about the conflict spilling over to Cyprus, Turkey and Jordan. As it stands, the Foreign Office guidance for Turkey – which was last updated on June 4 – advises against all travel to within 10km of the Syrian border, due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism. You can read our full report on travel advice for Turkey here. More Trending We've also got a detailed explainer on Cyprus and what's happening on the ground there. Meanwhile for Jordan, the Foreign Office reiterates the risk of ongoing hostilities in the region between Iran and Israel. It says travellers should monitor local news channels and follow the instructions of local authorities. If you hear air raid sirens, the guidance says you should take shelter and stay away from windows. Before you travel, the Foreign Office advises you to contact your airline and, if you have one, your travel insurer. MORE: WWE fans call for Night of Champions to be 'cancelled' after Iran strikes MORE: Is it safe to travel to Abu Dhabi? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice after US strikes Iran MORE: 'Shelter in place' warning for Americans in Qatar after worldwide travel alert
Irish Independent
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Wicklow councillor caught up in Egypt ordeal on Global March still committed to reaching Gaza
Social Democrats councillor Mark Barry was planning to link up with demonstrators from 80 countries who planned to march to Egypt's border with Gaza last Thursday, but Egyptian authorities detained many of the activists, while security forces in eastern Libya blocked a many more en route to meet them. The 'Global March on Gaza' was pitched as the largest demonstration of its kind in recent years, but organisers said hundreds arriving in Cairo last week had been detained and deported. While attempts to contact Cllr Barry were unsuccessful, his colleagues have been assured of his safety and in a recent social media post, he said: 'Despite our attempts to march being stalled due to legal hurdles and coordination challenges, we remain committed to our cause." There were fears for Cllr Barry when the march from Al Arish to the Egyptian border was met with resistance by authorities and he was amongst those whose passports were confiscated and were forced to turn back. Others on the march had been detained. While there were plans to regroup at a campsite outside of Cairo to prepare for a Sunday march, there was no clearance given, despite hopes the protestors wanted to 'proceed peacefully under the guidance of Egyptian authorities'. On Father's Day, Sunday, the Greystones councillor posted a touching and heartfelt message dedicated to his two sons from a rather sparse hotel room, in which he said he 'can't help thinking about the kind of world they are growing up in. A world where genocide is happening in real time – again'. 'Our parents believed they had left that horror behind in history. But here we are. We speak up because we must,' he said. 'Because dignity, freedom, and justice for the Palestinian people is non-negotiable. Because a world that allows man-made famine and genocide is not a world I want for my children. "Together, we are calling for the immediate opening of the border to allow vital aid into Gaza, so that aid workers can distribute food and water to save lives. We're demanding an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.' Cllr Barry described how the previous night 'power was cut off to Gaza. It went black. No internet, before the people were bombed while they slept in their beds." He said he was 'calling on our government and the governments across the EU and I'm asking the people of Wicklow in Ireland, contact your public representatives, contact your government, contact the Department of Foreign Affairs, get on to anybody you can, media outlets. This is not good enough. Now is the time we all have to stand up and take action.' He urged people to 'remember why 3,000 people from all over the world are here', which was, he said, 'to march peacefully in solidarity with the Palestinian people and put pressure on governments across the world to take all action needed to re open the borders with Gaza to allow humanitarian aide into the people of Gaza.' Despite the harrowing scenes that emerged over the weekend, he added that 'we are not here to protest or disrupt the Egyptian authorities', but noted that 'we are being monitored, and some delegates were detained from their hotels last night'. While previous posts seemed hopeful for the group of protesters, who had 'regrouped' and were planning 'the next steps we can take safely and peacefully', an air of resignation, or perhaps realisation, has set in and now the message from cllr Barry was for 'all delegates to return home safely' in the coming days. 'We are actively strategizing our next steps to keep and increase pressure on our governments and the EU to heed the voices of those who elected them – voices demanding justice and humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people. We have energy, we are mobile, we are many – and we're heading to Europe!'
Metro
17-06-2025
- Metro
Travel advice for Egypt holiday spots after Israel strikes Iran
Egypt has long been a popular choice for British travellers, but Israel's attack on Iran and the strikes that followed have raised concern over its safety as a holiday destination. Egypt welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists from the UK each year, with coastal resorts like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh luring visitors with affordable prices and all-inclusive deals. The country's popularity took a hit in 2015, when a terror attack on a Russian passenger plane killed all 224 people onboard shortly after take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh airport. The Foreign Office ordered Egyptian authorities to overhaul security, which they did. But now conflict between Egypt's regional neighbours threatens the tourism it relies on once again. Egypt's Sinai region borders Israel and the Gaza Strip, but most of the country's major tourist destinations are much further south, along the Red Sea. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Sharm el-Sheikh, the closest resort, is over two-and-a-half hours' drive from the nearest border town. The Egyptian capital, Cairo, as well as ancient favourites such as Luxor and Alexandria, are even further away. While the UK Foreign Office has been warning about travel to some parts of Egypt (more on that below), most of the popular tourist spots are still considered safe. Holiday companies and airlines continue to operate, but if that changes, we'll update this explainer immediately. In terms of what's happening in Gaza right now, the Foreign Office warns that international borders between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories could close without notice. You should keep up to date with local news updates and check official travel advice before trying to cross. The Foreign Office advises against all travel to the North Sinai around five-and-a-half hours' drive form the Israeli border. El-Arish, the capital and largest city of the North Sinai region, was the starting point of the Global March on Gaza, which aims to pressure world leaders to end Israel's war on the Palestinian enclave. Egyptian security forces have clashed with activists, with reports of some being pulled off the road as they staged a sit-in. We've got a map of the full route that you can see here. @metrouk A Welsh nurse who has witnessed the war in Gaza first hand, has gone viral after pleading with Egyptian police to allow protestors from @globalmarchtogaza to Gaza to continue to Rafah. 4,000 protesters from 80 countries are planning to march to the Egypt's border with Gaza with the stated aim of breaking Israel's blockade on the territory by delivering aid. Organisers say the passports of at least 40 people were confiscated, after demonstrators demanded to be let through a checkpoint and that security forces began forcibly detaining people. #worldnews #globalmarchtogaza #globalmarchpalestine #egypt #rafah #border #welsh #nurse ♬ original sound – Metro – Metro Elsewhere, the Foreign Office advises against all travel to within 20km of the border with Libya, which is on the western side of Egypt, far from Israel and Gaza. The only exception in that region is the town of El Salloum, where the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel. That guidance also applies to the Hala'ib Triangle, the northern part of the South Sinai Governorate (except for coastal areas), the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal, and the Western Desert, except for a number of areas. These are the ones most tourists will want to know about: Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis Package holidays to Egypt are still operating as usual, and, because the Foreign Office has not advised against travel, there is no prospect of being able to cancel for a full refund. Travel insurance is unlikely to help, either. Insurers will argue there is no reason not to go. As Grant Winter, compliance officer at specialist travel insurance provider Goodtogo, tells Metro: 'No airline is obligated to refund you for a flight you choose not to take.' If FCDO advice changes to advising against all travel, you can cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund. In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched an unprecedented strike that targeted Iran's nuclear and military sites. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon that posed an imminent threat to Israel. Iran, for its part, insists it doesn't want nuclear weapons. Israel is widely acknowledged to have nuclear weapons, though it has never publicly confirmed it. The attacks, which experts say took years to plan, came despite ongoing negotiations between Iran and Israel's main ally, the US, over the future of Iran's nuclear programme. Donald Trump has insisted the US had nothing to do with the strikes, but warned of grave consequences if American bases or troops are targeted. 'If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,' he said in a post on Truth Social. Addressing Israel's attack on Friday night, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for immediate de-escalation. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said: 'This development is deeply concerning. 'I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. 'Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security.' Meanwhile, G7 leaders have affirmed that 'Israel has a right to defend itself', reiterating support for Benjamin Netanyahu's regime and calling Iran the 'principal source of regional instability'. Trump has denied that he left a G7 leaders summit in Canada early to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. That suggestion was made by French President, Emmanuel Macron. While the eyes of the world are on Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Tehran, dozens of Palestinians have been killed as they waited for aid in the southern Gaza Strip, Gaza's civil defence agency said. Dr Mohammed Saqer, head of nursing at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, said 300 casualties had arrived after being attacked by tanks while queueing for food. Travellers are concerned about the conflict spilling over to Cyprus, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and UAE hotspots such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As it stands, the Foreign Office guidance for Turkey – which was last updated on June 4 – advises against all travel to within 10km of the Syrian border, due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism. You can read our full report on travel advice for Turkey here. We've also got a detailed explainer on Cyprus and what's happening on the ground there. More Trending Meanwhile for Jordan, the Foreign Office reiterates the risk of ongoing hostilities in the region between Iran and Israel. It says travellers should monitor local news channels and follow the instructions of local authorities. If you hear air raid sirens, the guidance says you should take shelter and stay away from windows. As of 7:30am local time on June 14, Jordanian airspace has reopened but airports and airspace may close at short notice. Before you travel, the Foreign Office advises you to contact your airline and, if you have one, your travel insurer. MORE: Why Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz could be catastrophic for the world MORE: Spain's tough new rules for tourists unveiled — from drink bans to tour groups MORE: UK travel company goes bust with holidays to 'iconic destinations' at risk
Time Out
16-06-2025
- Time Out
Is it safe to travel to the Middle East and Egypt right now?
The situation between Israel and Iran has dramatically deteriorated over the last few days. The use of missiles from both sides has had a massive impact on air traffic and travel advice for those planning to head to the region. After a surprise attack from Israel on Iran on Friday, June 13, the situation between the two countries has escalated rapidly. Iran has launched several waves of missiles at Israel since the initial attack. You can follow live updates of the conflict here. It's a dangerous time to be in one of the affected countries, so here is all the latest travel advice about travelling to Israel, Iran, and the neighbouring countries amidst the unstable situation. Should I travel to Jordan, Lebanon and the surrounding region? If you have a trip booked to any neighbouring or nearby countries, check the latest advice about travelling, and ensure you keep an eye on local media and 'remain vigilant'. The UK Government issued a series of new advisories for destinations which include popular tourist spots like Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and the UAE. Where has been affected by the conflict? Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Syria closed their airspace following the strikes, but after initially announcing a closure, Lebanon has said it will reopen its airspace until further notice. Air traffic is now being diverted south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia and north via Türkiye and Azerbaijan. Have flights been cancelled? Due to the air strikes there was a sudden closure of Middle East air space, and thousands of flights have been disrupted. According to Euronews, the following airlines have paused, cancelled or altered their flight schedules for at least the next few days, due to the escalating situation: Emirates, flydubai, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss, Air France, KLM, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Delta Air, El Al, Israir. If you're set to fly with one of these, check your journey status directly with the operator. What is the UK Foreign Office saying? As of June 15, the UK Foreign Office officially advises against all travel to Israel, with the travel advice page being updated with the following statement: 'We recognise this is a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks. The situation has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning. The current situation has disrupted air links out of the country and may disrupt road links. We encourage you to read the FCDO's advice on if you're affected by a crisis abroad.' As for travel to Egypt, the travel advice page was updated on June 14, reading: 'Due to ongoing developments in connection with the Global March on Gaza, travellers will want to review existing advice in the section on Safety and Security. We advise against all travel towards North Sinai'. For more information, you can head to the Foreign Office's Travel Advice page and search the latest advice for where you might be headed. What if I have booked a package holiday to Egypt? It seems that package holidays are going ahead as usual, but if you want to reschedule then it would be best to reach out to your operator. However, it's unlikely you will automatically be entitled to a refund for cancelling, as travel advice has not recommended against all travel to Egypt. However, because the Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of Egypt, be sure to check the latest advice on the page here, as ignoring said advice could invalidate your travel insurance.
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Activists stopped in Libya and Egypt ahead of planned march on Gaza
Egyptian authorities detained more activists planning to march to Gaza in protest of restrictions on aid reaching the territory, while security forces in eastern Libya blocked a convoy of activists en route to meet them. Demonstrators from 80 countries planned to march to Egypt's border with Gaza to spotlight the deepening humanitarian crises facing Palestinians since Israel began blocking aid trucks from entering the coastal enclave in March. Israel slightly eased restrictions last month, allowing limited aid in, but experts warn the measures fall far short. The Global March on Gaza was slated to be among the largest demonstrations of its kind in recent years, coinciding with other efforts including a boat carrying activists and aid that was intercepted by Israel's military while on its way to Gaza earlier this week. Organisers on Friday said authorities confiscated the passports of 40 activists at what they called a 'toll both-turned-checkpoint' being patrolled by riot gear-clad officers and armored vehicles. They said security forces had begun detaining and using force to remove activists from the area and suppress protests. 'If individuals are forcibly taken to the airport for deportation under false pretenses, participants are prepared to … initiate a hunger strike,' organisers said. The group's spokespeople urged officials from the activists' home countries to push Egypt to release their citizens. Egypt's Foreign Ministry didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Friday's detentions come after hundreds arriving in Cairo were earlier detained and deported to their home countries in Europe and North Africa. Before authorities confiscated their passports, the activists said they planned to gather at a campsite on the road to the Sinai to prepare for Sunday's march. They said authorities had not yet granted them authorization to travel through the Sinai, which Egypt considers a highly sensitive area. 'We continue to urge the Egyptian government to permit this peaceful march, which aligns with Egypt's own stated commitment to restoring stability at its border and addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza,' the activists said in a statement. As activists stuck at the Ismailia checkpoint languished in the heat, Hicham El-Ghaoui, one of the group's spokespeople, said they would refrain from demonstrating until receiving clarity on whether Egypt will authorize their protest. The planned demonstrations cast an uncomfortable spotlight on Egypt, one of the Arab countries that has cracked down on pro-Palestinian activists even as it publicly condemns aid restrictions and calls for an end to the war. The government, a major recipient of US military aid that maintains ties with Israel, has arrested and charged 186 activists with threatening state security since the war began, according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. Many of them said they were protesting peacefully and collecting donations for Gaza. Still, the severity of the crackdown surprised European activists. Antonietta Chiodo, who traveled to Cairo from Italy, said those awaiting further instruction had been detained, interrogated, treated harshly by Egyptian authorities or deported. Alexis Deswaef, a Belgian human rights lawyer, said he woke up on Friday to dozens of security vehicles packed with uniformed officers surrounding Talat Harb Square, where he and other activists had found hotels. Members of his group snuck out of the lobby as security entered, asking an officer for assistance booking taxis to the pyramids of Giza, where they've been since. 'I am so surprised to see the Egyptians doing the dirty work of Israel,' he said from the pyramids. He hoped there would be too many activists at the new meeting point outside Cairo for Egyptian authorities to arrest en masse. Meanwhile, an aid convoy traveling overland from Algeria picked up new participants along the route in Tunisia and Libya but was stopped in the city of Sirte, about 940 kilometers (585 miles) from the Libya-Egypt border. Organisers of the overland convoy said late Thursday night they had been stopped by authorities governing eastern Libya, which has for years been divided between dueling factions. The convoy was allowed to cross from Tunisia to Libya but was halted near the front line. The Benghazi-based government urged activists to 'engage in proper coordination with the official Libyan authorities through legal and diplomatic channels to ensure the safety of all participants and uphold the principles of solidarity with the Palestinian people.' It said they should return to their home countries and cited Egypt's public statements that marchers had not been granted authorisation. Organisers leading the overland convoy said authorities had allowed them to camp in Sirte and await further approval. Their group, which includes thousands of participants, had already traversed parts of Algeria, Tunisia and the western Libyan cities of Tripoli and Misrata. Jawaher Shana, one of the convoy's organisers, said it would eventually continue. 'We didn't cross 2,000 kilometers all for nothing!' she yelled to a crowd at Sirte Gate, referencing the length of the Mediterranean coastline the convoy had travelled. The efforts — the activist flotilla, the overland convoy and the planned march — come as international outcry grows over conditions in Gaza. Israel has continued to pummel the territory with airstrikes while limiting the flow of trucks carrying food, water and medication that can enter. The UN has said the vast majority of the population relies on humanitarian aid to survive and experts have warned the coastal enclave will likely fall into famine if Israel doesn't lift its blockade and stop its military campaign. Over UN objections, a US-backed group has taken control of the limited aid entering Gaza. But as desperate Palestinians crowd its distribution sites, chaos has erupted and almost 200 people have been killed near aid sites. Nearly half a million Palestinians are on the brink of possible starvation, and 1 million others can barely get enough food, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a leading international authority. Israel has rejected the findings, saying the IPC's previous forecasts had proven unfounded.
