Update: Military sends popular support convoy back to Cairo

Military forces stopped an Egyptian popular support convoy planning to head to Gaza at Balouza checkpoint in Arish, Sinai, on Saturday early afternoon.

Both the convoy and the supplies are now on their way back to Cairo, having been prevented from entering Gaza by the military. A press conference will be held by the organizers as soon as they arrive in Cairo.

Journalist Tamer Abu Arab, who is independently part of the 500-member convoy, said on Facebook that the convoy faced no security restrictions from Cairo to the checkpoint in Arish.

Arab said that the convoy waited for two hours at the checkpoint before the organizers were asked to return to Cairo as the military would not be able to secure the convoy or supplies in the embattled Palestinian strip.

“The organizers negotiated calmly and offered to sign official papers acknowledging responsibility for their personal safety, but the military officer said the convoy had ten minutes to leave or it would be forcibly dispersed,” Arab said.

Campaign organizer and rights lawyer Khaled Ali asked for more time, but the officer ordered the convoy to leave immediately, stirring a wave of anger among the convoy’s members who chanted, “We will go through,” Arab said.

The situation remained tense, as convoy members chanted against the closure of the Rafah Crossing, and demanded that the convoy be let in. Armed forces were stationed in front of the convoy blocking the road, according to Arab.

“I just need to mention that all police checkpoints had previous orders to let the convoy pass and dealt with us with full cooperation, and there was a police truck in front of the convoy all the way to Balouza checkpoint,” Arab asserted.

Journalist Karim Farid said that some members of the convoy insisted on striking in front of the buses and others sat behind them to prevent them from moving.

Following a discussion with a military officer at the checkpoint, Farid said the supplies were more likely to be allowed passage, but that convoy members would not be allowed to continue on their way to Gaza.