CAIRO — Canadian physician Dr. Yipeng Ge was detained by Egyptian authorities and deported on June 12 while attempting to join the Global March to Gaza at Egypt’s Rafah border crossing.
The doctor, based in Ottawa, was among at least 88 foreign nationals intercepted by checkpoint personnel approximately 30 kilometers from Ismailia. All non-Egyptian participants were turned back due to a lack of pre-approved travel permits from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.
Dr. Ge, a family and public health practitioner, shared via LinkedIn and Instagram that he was stopped en route between Cairo and Ismailia. He reported that passports were confiscated, phones were wiped, and one fellow Canadian, Manuel Tapio, remains missing after registration at a checkpoint.
The Global March to Gaza, scheduled for June 15, is a cross-border humanitarian protest by activists from over 80 countries calling for an end to Israel’s blockade and civilian suffering in Gaza. Cairo officials require advance permits from foreign participants.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry told Reuters that entry to sensitive border zones must be officially coordinated to ensure safety. Authorities detained individuals at both Cairo International Airport and checkpoints near Sinai.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described the march as a regional security threat. Egypt’s deportations included at least 73 individuals sent to Istanbul, with about 100 more pending removal by June 13.
Dr. Ge told AP that he and fellow marchers had “broken no Egyptian laws.” He emphasized the moral imperative to address “siege, blockade, and genocide.” He also shared personal testimony from Gaza residents via mobile communication.
Canadian officials have not yet released a formal statement. Egyptian policies triggered tens of thousands of activist arrests in recent years. There is no indication that detainees faced formal charges.
The incident highlights tension between humanitarian activism and national security restrictions. Advocates call for increased aid to Gaza, while governments cite safety and protocol concerns.
This article is based on verified information from Reuters, AP, Instagram, and LinkedIn posts by Dr. Yipeng Ge, and AP coverage of the Global March to Gaza.