Religious, Media Support to Possible Egyptian Military Intervention in Libya

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, right, with Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA) meeting in Cairo last year | AP
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, right, with Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA) meeting in Cairo last year | AP
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Religious, Media Support to Possible Egyptian Military Intervention in Libya

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, right, with Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA) meeting in Cairo last year | AP
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, right, with Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA) meeting in Cairo last year | AP

Egypt's announcement on deploying troops from the armed forces in Libya was highly welcomed by religious and media institutions.

The parliament unanimously approved "the deployment of members of the Egyptian armed forces on combat missions outside Egypt's borders to defend Egyptian national security against criminal armed militias and foreign terrorist elements", it said in a statement.

Al Azhar stressed its support for all measures adopted by the Egyptian leadership to protect national security and borders in the face of foreign threats.

In a statement, Azhar underlined the necessity of being aware of the dangers and challenges besetting Egypt in the current stage as well as closing ranks for the best interests of the nation. Further, Azhar hailed Egypt's keenness on realizing peaceful solutions.

In the same context, the Coptic Orthodox Church welcomed the parliament’s decision. The stances of Evangelical and Catholic Churches in Egypt intersected with the former's as well, hence expressing support to Egyptian actions concerning Libya.

For its part, Egypt's Dar al-Ifta backed Egypt's response on Libya and emphasized standing by the country against all challenges.

Moreover, the Ministry of Information in Egypt expressed full support to procedures taken by the state to maintain national security and defeat risks -- the Ministry lauded the Egyptian armed forces’ efforts in this regard.



Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
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Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

Israel’s defense minister has vowed to prevent an aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists from reaching the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel wouldn't allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he said was aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms.

Thunberg, a climate campaigner is among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel departed Sicily last Sunday on a mission that aims to break the sea blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, while raising awareness over the growing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, The AP news reported.

The activists had said they planned to reach Gaza’s territorial waters as early as Sunday.

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among the others onboard. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

After a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers have warned of famine unless the blockade and the war end.

An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.