An Irish politician was detained in Egypt while trying to cross into Gaza. Paul Murphy, a member of the People Before Profit-Solidarity party, was part of a large protest aiming to bring aid to the region. The demonstration was focused on the Rafah crossing, a key entry point for humanitarian assistance.
On Friday, Egyptian authorities confiscated Murphy’s phone and passport before putting him on a bus to Cairo airport for deportation. In a message shared online, Murphy described how the police became more aggressive after they took his phone. He reported that an American woman in his group was violently treated, suffering kicks and having her hijab ripped off.
Murphy confirmed that he was among several Irish citizens who were detained but later released. He posted on Facebook that he was back in Cairo and planned to discuss the next steps with fellow protesters. He expressed concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for an end to what he described as a "horrific genocide" and a "total attempt of starvation" that has persisted for months.
Ireland’s deputy premier announced that the detained Irish citizens had been released, and Murphy’s partner, Councillor Jess Spear, expressed relief at their release. She had previously urged the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister to address Murphy’s situation publicly. Despite their release, the group remains determined to reach Rafah and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance as conditions worsen for the people there.