Israel’s Katz Labels Gaza Solidarity Convoy ‘Jihadists’ and Urges Egypt to Block Border Access

Watan-In a move reflecting Israel’s anxiety over growing popular and international solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, Israeli Security Minister Yisrael Katz on Wednesday attacked participants in the “Maghreb Solidarity Convoy”, calling them “jihadists,” and instructed the Israeli army to prevent the convoy from entering Gaza, while also urging Egyptian authorities to block their advance near the Rafah border.

Katz stated:“I expect Egyptian authorities to prevent these jihadist demonstrators from reaching the Israeli-Egyptian border and stop them from carrying out provocations or trying to enter Gaza, as this would endanger Israeli soldiers—and we won’t allow it.”

He further claimed the activists pose a threat to the Egyptian regime and other “moderate Arab governments,” alleging that their support for Hamas stems from “ideological alignment” and is “backed by the Iranian axis of evil.”

However, organizers of the convoy identify themselves as human rights and civil society activists, aiming to pressure for an end to Israel’s siege on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to a population facing massive destruction and famine amid Israel’s genocidal war.

The “Maghreb Solidarity Convoy” includes hundreds of volunteers from Tunisia and Algeria, traveling in over 160 vehicles loaded with medical and humanitarian supplies. The mission is seen across the Maghreb as a powerful symbol of Arab solidarity, and a political message to the international community demanding action to end the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

This latest escalation comes just days after Israeli naval forces intercepted the “Freedom Flotilla” ship, which was also en route to Gaza. The ship, carrying 12 international human rights activists, was stopped just kilometers off the coast and forcibly redirected to Ashdod, with its crew detained by the Israeli military.