terrorism and tourism in egypt

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The Impact of Revolutions and Terrorist Attacks on Tourism. Case Study: Egypt

• Daniel BAKOTA Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Poland
• Magdalena MORGA Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Poland
• Arkadiusz PLOMINSKI Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Poland
• Mariusz RZETALA University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland

The essence of the research concerns the impact of armed conflicts and terrorist attacks on the arrivals of foreign tourists with Egypt selected as the testing ground. It was found that revolutions and terrorist attacks have a negative impact on the development of the tourism industry – following the social unrest that took place in Egypt in the years 1997, 2011 and 2015, the number of arrivals of foreign tourists decreased by: 13%, 33% and 42% respectively (depending on countries of the world the reduction of the flow of tourists was within the range of 21-78%). The decrease in the number of tourists which takes place after a terrorist attack is short-lived and usually does not last longer than a year, whereas the consequences of a revolution are noticeable for tourism for a period of 3 to 5 years. According to respondents, the most important consequence of social unrest (protests, demonstrations, terrorist attacks) for tourism is a drop in the number of arrivals of foreign tourists, reduction in the income generated by tourism, decline in employment in tourism and the general slowdown in the development of tourism.

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Terrorism in Egypt: a comprehensive spatial, spatio-temporal, and statistical analysis

• Published: 09 November 2023
• Volume 88 , pages 6339–6364, ( 2023 )

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• Ali Younes   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1704-5937 1 ,
• Bahaa Mohamadi   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2685-8948 2 &
• Mohamed O. AbuGhazala   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7909-602X 3  

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Terrorist attacks epitomize a direct threat to the security of Middle Eastern citizens as well as global stability. As one of the Middle Eastern countries, Egypt suffers from terrorism in terms of human life and economic loss. Studying the spatial distribution of terrorist attacks and factors that may affect their frequency is critical for understanding this violent behavior and helping decision-makers fight terrorism. This study examines the spatial distribution of terrorist attacks in Egypt between 2004 and 2019 and its correlated factors. To fulfill this aim, spatial and spatiotemporal analyses were applied to analyze terrorist attack hotspots in the country, and 14 geographical, natural, social, and economic factors were tested for significant correlation to terrorist attacks by utilizing statistical and geographical weighted regression (GWR) analysis. Spatial distribution analysis results for the whole study period revealed two main hotspots: one in Greater Cairo, the capital of Egypt, and the second in the North Sinai Peninsula. There were additional small hotspots in Alexandria City, the Nile Delta region, and the northern part of the Nile Delta. The statistical analysis concluded a significant positive correlation between terrorist attacks and the fragile state index, education index, precipitation, distance to the land boundary, population density, poverty index, economic freedom index, and unemployment rate. Whereas, freedom index and distance to maritime boundaries had a significant negative correlation with terrorist attacks. GWR revealed significant positive correlations between terrorist attacks and NTL, population density, precipitation, and temperature in the North Sinai Governorate. The same governorate showed a negative correlation between terrorist attacks from one side and topography and drought index from the other.

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Geography and GIS Department, Faculty of Arts, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt

Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China

Bahaa Mohamadi

Geography and GIS Department, Faculty of Arts, Tanta University, Tanta, 31521, Egypt

Mohamed O. AbuGhazala

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Correspondence to Bahaa Mohamadi .

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The plan for how the bibliometric analysis was done, based on how the VOSviewer software was used to do the analysis (Karmaoui et al., 2022 ). The plan is based on the Scopus database from 2010 to 2022. The bibliometric data source was extracted from the online version of the Scopus database. The search query was chosen to serve the primary goal of this study as “TITLE-ABS-KEY (“terrorist attack” OR “Terrorism" OR “terrorist systems “ OR “terrorist incident” OR “terrorist group” OR “Global Terrorism” OR “terrorist events “AND “spatial” OR “spatiotemporal” OR “geospatial statistics” OR “GIS” OR “Time Cube Models” OR “Optimized Hot Spot Analysis” OR “Geographically Weighted Regression” OR “GWR” OR “Ordinary Least Squares (OLS)” OR “spatial autocorrelation”)

Keywords co-occurrence network the context of the studied subject a Network visualization by cluster b Overlay visualization by average publication date (Note: circle = keyword; circle diameter = frequency of a keyword appearance in the articles; color in (a) = cluster group; color in (b) = average publication year of the article that used the keywords). The (co-occurrence) keyword analysis selected 458 keywords (big and small circles) grouped in 6 clusters in different colors, as presented in Fig.  10 a. Keywords that are recused regularly, which articles are intensely focused on, with outstanding inter-connection strength with other keywords are: Terrorism (163), terrorist attack (39) Spatiotemporal Analysis (31), Spatial Analysis (29), Human (28), GIS (26), In addition, the co-occurrence timeline visualization map over the last years (see Fig. 10b) enunciates the most recent emerging topics with a yellow color, including spatiotemporal analysis, spatial analysis, spatial distribution, and demographics, with an average publication year of 2018. Most important is that the analysis highlights that the number of studies on terrorism and terrorist attacks (red in Fig. 10a) is large and can be considered a relatively new or hot research topic for the vibrant research community

a Network visualization map of collaborative networks among countries in the investigated field of research. Each node represents a given country, and its size is relative to the number of published papers. b A network visualization map of the most cited journals concerning the research subject. Each node represents a journal name, and its size is relative to the number of articles in each country. The database shows that a total of 37 countries contributed to the literature. The country with the highest number of publications and collaborations with other states is the United States of America, with 85 documents, followed by China (37), the United Kingdom (26), Australia (10), the Russian Federation (7), and India (7). We note that authors in the United States of America have significant links with China and the United Kingdom, as well as European countries such as Sweden, Italy, Denmark, and Greece that have links to the United Kingdom and China. Figure 11b depicts a bibliographic network analysis of 25 prominent journals interested in the investigated subject regarding the source of publications. The analysis demonstrated that the proceedings of spie, the International Society for Optical Engineering and Risk Analysis, are highly productive journals with 25 research papers, lecture notes in computer science (5), the ISPRS international journal of geo-information (3), defense and peace economics (3), social science and medicine (3), applied geography (2), Wuhan daxue xuebao (xinxi kexue ban)/geomatics and information science of Wuhan University (2), It is expected that this information can assist researchers in choosing the most relevant, valid, and reliable journal to publish their findings

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Younes, A., Mohamadi, B. & AbuGhazala, M.O. Terrorism in Egypt: a comprehensive spatial, spatio-temporal, and statistical analysis. GeoJournal 88 , 6339–6364 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-023-10972-w

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-023-10972-w

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Egypt Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 13, 2023, egypt - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Reconsider travel to Egypt due to  terrorism . Exercise increased caution in Egypt due to  the Embassy’s limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained.

Do not travel to:

• The Sinai Peninsula (with the exception of travel to Sharm El-Sheikh by air) due to  terrorism .
• The Western Desert due to  terrorism .
• Egyptian border areas due to  military zones .

Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Egypt. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, and have targeted diplomatic facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, western businesses, restaurants, resorts, and local government facilities. Terrorists have conducted attacks in urban areas, including in Cairo, despite the heavy security presence. Terrorists have targeted religious sites, to include mosques, churches, monasteries, and buses traveling to these locations.

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Egypt, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices .

Local law prohibits protesting or demonstrating without a permit. Being near anti-government protests can draw scrutiny from Egyptian police and security forces. U.S. citizens have been detained for participating in protests and for posting content on social media perceived as critical of Egypt or its allies.

The U.S. Embassy may have a limited ability to provide consular services to dual U.S.-Egyptian citizens. Egyptian law considers dual citizens to be Egyptian citizens.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Egypt.

If you decide to travel to Egypt:  

• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)   to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on   Facebook   and   Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report   for Egypt.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest   Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the   Traveler’s Checklist .

Sinai Peninsula – Level 4: Do Not Travel The Sinai Peninsula remains a particularly dangerous area, with frequent attacks on security forces and civilians.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens anywhere in the Sinai Peninsula as U.S. government employees are not authorized to travel to these areas (with the exception of the beach resort of Sharm El-Sheikh; travel to Sharm El-Sheikh is only permitted by air). Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

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Safety and security

You should also read FCDO ’s overall travel advice and regional risks advice .

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out more about the global threat from terrorism .

Terrorism in Egypt

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt.

Terrorism is a risk across Egypt, particularly in North Sinai. Attacks could be indiscriminate. Targets might include:

• Egyptian security forces
• religious sites
• large public gatherings
• places visited by foreigners

The authorities in Egypt have a significant security presence across the country, including armed security officers at important sites, critical infrastructure and road checkpoints. Extra measures are in place at tourist sites. Recent attacks include:

• in 2022, an attack to the west of the Suez Canal targeting security forces within the city of Ismailiyah
• in 2019, at least 20 people killed by a car bomb in Central Cairo’s Manial district
• in 2019, at least 16 people injured after an IED attack on a tourist bus near the Giza pyramids
• in 2019, 3 security personnel killed by a suicide bomber in Central Cairo’s Darb al-ahmar district
• in 2018, a roadside blast killed 4 people on a bus near the Giza pyramids
• in 2018, gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Coptic Christians in Minya province killing 7 people. Daesh (formally ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attack

Terrorism during holiday periods

There is a heightened threat of terrorism in and around religious sites and during religious festivals, such as the month of Ramadan and the Christmas period (including Coptic Christmas in January). Terrorist attacks have occurred over local holiday weekends. See a list of public holidays on the Egyptian Presidency website .

You should:

• follow the advice of Egyptian authorities
• be vigilant in crowds and large gatherings

Airports and airlines

Terrorists in Egypt have the intent and capability to target airport buildings and planes.

The main threat is on the North Sinai Peninsula where Daesh operate with greater freedom, but terrorists are active throughout Egypt.

Co-operate fully with security officials at airports and pay attention to security measures on flights from Egypt to the UK.

Terrorist kidnap

There is a threat of kidnapping by groups operating in North Africa, particularly from Libya and groups originating in the Sahel. This includes Al Qaeda and Daesh-affiliated groups, who may travel across the region’s porous border. There is a heightened risk of kidnap in border and remote desert areas of North Africa. Terrorist groups have taken foreigners, government officials and civilians hostage for financial gain and for political leverage. Further kidnappings are likely.

British nationals are viewed as legitimate targets, including those engaged in tourism, humanitarian aid work, journalism or business sectors. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to serve as a protection or secure your safe release.

The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.

Military activity in the Red Sea area       

Military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea. While the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that Travel Advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. You should continue to monitor Travel Advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.

Political situation

Since 2011 there has been significant political turmoil. The political environment remains restrictive. There have been violent protests and disturbances, resulting in a number of deaths.

Protests, marches and demonstrations occur across Egypt, particularly in cities. Avoid protests, marches or demonstrations as the situation could change quickly and without warning. Police have used water cannons, tear gas, birdshot and live ammunition as crowd control.

The authorities may close public spaces, including parks and beaches, at short notice, particularly around the holidays. Follow the guidance of the local authorities. You could be fined or arrested if you do not do as you are told.

Foreigners involved in any political activity or activities critical of the government may be at risk of detention or other measures.

There are reports that personal electronic devices are being checked by security personnel, particularly around places of public gathering, such as Tahrir Square.

The crime rate is generally low, but visitors have reported armed robberies, muggings (including in taxis), sexual assaults, and break-ins to accommodation and cars. Take extra care when travelling alone, particularly at night, in taxis and microbuses.

If you want to report a crime, contact the tourist police on 126. If you do not report a crime before you leave, it will be difficult to ask for a prosecution at a later date.

Sexual assaults and harassment

There are a number of sexual assaults reported to the British Embassy, including cases involving minors.

The majority of cases that have been reported took place in tourist resorts in the Red Sea region, often committed by someone the victim had already met, including hotel workers and excursion staff. There have also been reports of hotel staff discouraging incidents being reported to local police.

Female travellers should exercise caution when travelling alone, particularly at night, in buses, taxis and microbuses. If you are travelling on public transport including microbuses, avoid being the last passenger left on board.

Take extra precautions, including:

make sure children and young people are always accompanied by known and trusted people and not left alone with hotel or excursion staff

don’t allow hotel staff to enter your room when you are alone. Try to ensure a friend or relative is present

avoid travelling in a taxi alone. If this isn’t possible, apply extra security to your trip by sharing the details of your driver and trip with a friend, and using live location on WhatsApp

use reputable providers for any services and excursions, and carry out research beforehand, including by consulting your tour operator where you have one

avoid sharing personal contact or social media details

You may also want to read:

advice for women travelling abroad

information for British nationals affected by rape or sexual assault abroad

If you experience sexual harassment or assault, or anything you see doesn’t feel right, report it to the hotel or local authorities - Tourist Police on 126 and contact the British Embassy at +20 2 279 160 00 as soon as possible for advice and support. Or, you can call the local Police on 122. Both numbers provide English speakers.

Protecting your belongings

Keep a copy of your passport, visa and flight ticket separately from originals when travelling. Leave copies at home where others can access them, and also store them electronically so you can access them easily. If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the police immediately and get a police report.

Take particular care of your possessions on buses, trains and in crowds. Criminals may ride past on bikes and snatch valuables.

Be cautious in tourist areas, where scammers and touts target foreigners.

Staying safe at tourist sites

Tourists at popular tourist sites, such as the Giza Pyramids, may be confronted aggressively for money or business, even while travelling by car or taxi. Visitors using a pre-booked guide, or taking an organised tour to visit the Giza Pyramids, are likely to face fewer difficulties.

Laws and cultural differences

Egypt is predominantly an Islamic country. It is illegal to encourage conversion to the Christian faith.

Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times. Make sure your actions do not cause offence, especially during Ramadan or when you visit religious areas.

Dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs (markets). Public displays of affection are frowned on. What may be acceptable in the tourist resort areas may not be in other areas.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. Ramadan in Egypt in 2024 will likely begin in March and end in April and will last for 30 days. Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

You should also:

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time
• be aware that driving may be erratic, particularly when people are trying to get home at dusk
• be patient and show tolerance

Personal ID

Police regularly carry out ID checks. Keep valid photo ID with you at all times.

Alcohol laws and bans

Drinking alcohol anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is illegal and can lead to arrest.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs is a serious offence and can, even for small amounts, lead to lengthy prison sentences (25 years), life imprisonment or the death penalty. Those sentenced to life imprisonment on drugs charges will normally spend the rest of their life in prison with no possibility of parole or pardon.

Khat is illegal in Egypt.

Criticising the Egyptian government

Making political or negative comments about the Egyptian government, including about the President or security forces, can cause trouble with the authorities. People have faced prison sentences for making insulting comments on social media.

Restrictions on photography

You need a permit for professional photography or film equipment. This includes photography umbrellas, artificial outdoor lighting gear, and any equipment that occupies or blocks public roads.

You are not allowed to take or share photographs that could be considered damaging to the country’s image. You can only take photographs of Egyptian citizens can if you have their written permission. Do not photograph officials without their consent. Taking pictures of children is not allowed.

Photography of, or near, military property is strictly banned. This includes the Suez Canal. There are sensitivities about taking photographs of embassies, government buildings, churches and religious buildings. British nationals have been arrested for photographing churches, electricity stations, train stations and bridges. If you are in any doubt, get permission before taking photographs.

Do not use radio controlled helicopters or ‘drones’ to take photographs.

The import, production or use of drones is banned in Egypt unless you have prior authorisation from the Egyptian Ministry of Defence . Anyone who uses or imports drones without authorisation could be sent to prison for up to 7 years or fined 5,000 to 50,000 Egyptian pounds.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is not explicitly criminalised in Egypt, but LGBT+ people have been prosecuted under the law of ‘debauchery’. People have been arrested for flying rainbow flags at public events on debauchery charges.

There is little public acceptance of homosexuality in Egypt. Public expressions of homosexuality or displays of affection between same-sex couples are likely to get negative attention. See our information and advice page for the LGBT+ community before you travel.

Be cautious about sharing content or having discussions of a sexual nature on social media, especially about sexual acts that are considered illegal. Some travellers have been arrested and imprisoned for this.

Children and young people

Egyptian family law is very different from UK law, particularly around child custody. See FCDO guidance for those affected by international parental child abduction and how to get assistance.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Insurance for adventure activities.

Make sure your travel insurance, or the tour or dive company, covers the costs for any air or sea rescue. The current fee can exceed 4,000 US dollars per hour. The Egyptian authorities will only undertake rescue operations when there’s a guarantee of payment. Book excursions for activities at your resort or through approved agents or tour operators.

See FCDO travel insurance guidance for more information on travel insurance.

Hot air balloons

Some UK tour operators have not been able to verify the safety standards for balloon flight operators and have stopped selling balloon flights. There have been a number of injuries and fatal accidents. Speak to your tour company before booking.

Diving and snorkelling

Safety standards of diving operators in Red Sea resorts vary considerably. Never dive or snorkel unaccompanied. Where possible make bookings through your tour representative. Very cheap operators may not provide adequate safety and insurance standards. Diving beyond the depth limit of your insurance policy will invalidate your cover.

Shark attacks are rare, but there have been a number involving tourists in the Red Sea region. Monitor any updates from local authorities or your tour operator.

Quad bikes and desert visits

There have been several serious quad bike accidents involving British nationals in resort areas. Take the same precautions as you would in the UK. Safety standards can vary considerably. Always wear a crash helmet.

There is a small risk from unexploded landmines in some desert areas, including:

• in the north west of Egypt near to Alamein
• on some limited stretches of the Mediterranean coast near Marsa Matrouh
• on the Red Sea coast south of Suez

Dangerous areas are usually well marked with signs and barbed wire fencing. Take care and follow local advice, especially if planning trips off marked roads.

Transport risks

Road travel.

If you are planning to drive in Egypt, see information on driving abroad .

You can drive in Egypt on an International Driving Permit for up to 6 months. If you intend to stay in Egypt for a longer period you must apply for an Egyptian driving licence.

You may not be allowed to import a vehicle into Egypt. If you want to bring in a vehicle temporarily, you will need a ‘carnet de passage’ from the Automobile Association.

Accidents are common because of poor road conditions, dangerous driving and poor enforcement of traffic laws. Do not drive outside main cities and resorts at night. Make sure you have adequate insurance.

If you’re travelling off-road, employ a qualified guide and get a permit from the Ministry of Interior.

You must wear a seatbelt in the front of a vehicle.

Rail and bus travel

There have been serious bus crashes in recent years with large numbers of fatalities, including tourists.

There have also been fatal train collisions and derailments.

Suspect devices have been found at train stations and on the rail network. Although some have been hoaxes or false alarms you should be vigilant.

River and sea travel

Overcrowding and poor safety standards have led to several accidents on Red Sea ferries and Nile cruisers.

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Egypt’s Role in Confronting Terrorism: Economic Effects and Proposed Methods

Terrorism is an enemy of development and they never meet. Hence, the direct danger of terrorism is in stopping the wheel of development and hitting the national economy, which is the lifeline of societies. It also has an impact on the human forces of the state, as the country loses a number of its children who are the forearms of construction, and this is a grave loss that affects the achievement of development. In addition to its clear repercussions on unemployment, inflation, investment, financial markets, bankruptcy of companies, the insurance sector, the tourism sector, the exchange rate and the balance of payments, and the spending of large amounts of money on confronting terrorism, which would have been spent on human development and infrastructure projects such as the construction of roads, hospitals and schools to serve all citizens. In addition to the reluctance of large and multinational companies to establish projects in society for fear of terrorism.

In this context, the research paper aims to identify the economic effects of terrorism in Egypt, the economic costs of combating it, and the ways in which these costs can be reduced, through the following axes:

First: The economic effects of terrorism in Egypt

Second: Global Terrorism Index

Third: The economic costs of confronting terrorism in Egypt

Fourth: Egyptian efforts to combat terrorism

Fifth: Ways to confront terrorism that Egypt focuses on

The research paper reached a number of results regarding the means used by the Egyptian state to confront and limit terrorism, as follows:

1- Equality between all classes of society, and addressing the phenomena of underdevelopment and unemployment.

2- Redistributing wealth and development resources and meeting the various basic needs of the individual in a balanced manner that makes him possess the ability to giving and building and to avoid aggressive behavior and actions inherent to the phenomenon of terrorism

.3- Building an advanced economic base, and combating administrative corruption and bribery in all state facilities and departments.

4- Providing a wide range of freedom and expression of opinion for different groups of young people to avoid marginalization and opening training and rehabilitation centers for young people that develop their abilities and enhance their talents.

5- Rehabilitating the communications and information sector throughout the country so that large segments of society can learn about scientific and technical developments.

First: Global Terrorism Index

The economic effects left by international terrorism on the economies of countries vary according to their different capabilities, policies and institutions to take steps and measures related to containing and reducing its negative effects, and work to develop and activate theories and applications of crisis management within the state’s public and private institutions.

The Global Terrorism Index ranks the countries most affected by terrorism according to the number of attacks within the country, the number of victims and injured in each attack, and the extent of the destruction inflicted on this country, as Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia topped the list since 2019, while Pakistan fell in the 2021 ranking from eighth to tenth place, but this arrangement may change, given the escalation of terrorist activity inside it after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.The report indicated that Myanmar – located in Southeast Asia – was included in the list of countries most affected by terrorism, as attacks increased from 25 attacks in 2020 to 750 attacks in 2021, causing more than 500 deaths.

The 2022 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) noted that the impact of terrorism has continued to decline despite increased attacks. In 2021, deaths from terrorism decreased by 1.2% to 7,142, while attacks increased by 17%, which highlights that terrorism has become less deadly. Two-thirds of countries did not report any attacks or deaths due to terrorism – the best result since 2007 – and 86 countries recorded an improvement in their scores in the global terrorism index, and the number of deaths has remained almost the same over the past 4 years. The index highlights that terrorism remains a serious threat, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 48% of all global deaths due to terrorism.

The index also indicated that Daesh turned its attention to the Sahel region after the military defeats in Syria and Iraq, as the death toll from terrorism in the region increased 10 times since 2007. The Sahel became the new center of terrorism, and terrorism is exacerbated in the region due to high population growth, lack of adequate water and food, climate change, weak governments, in addition to the complexity, many criminal organizations present themselves as Islamic insurgencies.

Second: the economic effects of terrorism in Egypt    

The effects of terrorism vary between economic, social and political. Terrorism is a phenomenon that threatens the national unity of the state, spreading a state of panic and fear, and leading to the consequent bad psychological effects on some individuals within the state.

1-Impact on economic growth

Many economic studies have concluded that terrorism negatively affects the rate of economic growth, and generates two types of effects. The first: the direct effects, which arise as a result of the deaths that occurred as a result of the terrorist attack or as a result of the destruction of part of the tangible or in-kind capital. The second: the indirect effects, which include the effects that occur as a result of a number of channels through which terrorism affects economic growth indirectly.

2- Impact on unemployment

Among the most prominent effects of terrorism on the economy is the spread of unemployment, as the decline in consumer spending and the decrease in investment spending rates lead the economy towards further slowdown and then stagnation. At the sectoral level, thousands of workers may be laid off; this means the spread of unemployment, which is one of the dangerous manifestations in any country because of its negative repercussions on society.

3- The impact on human resources

The impact of terrorism is evident on the human resources of the state, as the nation loses a number of its sons who are the pillars of construction, and this is a grave loss in the effective developmental foundation. This is in addition to its impact on political and social stability, which is one of the most important ingredients for economic development.

4- Impact on goods and services

Terrorism negatively affects commodities that are divided into two types in terms of their nature: commodities that can be transported and can be exported (oil, minerals, etc.), and non-transportable commodities that cannot be exported, such as (tourism, local selling facilities, real estate, local investments). In the event of any terrorist attacks on the country, immovable goods constitute a large proportion of the economy of the affected country.

5- Impact on investment and financial markets

Terrorism leads to a decline in the level of investment, due to the state of tension and uncertainty among investors and its impact on canceling or postponing many investment decisions, the decline in mergers and purchases in various parts of the world, the slowdown in global economic growth, the decline in stock prices in global financial markets and expansion plans of existing investments, which results in deteriorating economic growth rates, lowering investment rates and increasing in military spending at the expense of other development sectors.

Among the negative effects of terrorism on foreign direct investment is the “flight” of foreign capital from the country to a safer haven, resulting in a decline in the financial and investment markets.

The financial markets enjoy great economic importance in the local, regional or international economy and due to their distinctive role in the transfer of capital, they are greatly affected by the political and security situations, as the biggest affected are the shares of tourism and insurance companies.

As for the insurance companies within the country, it will be burdened with compensation for the victims and destroyed private facilities, and sometimes leads to the bankruptcy of insurance companies from the terrorist attack.

6-   Impact on inflation

Inflation means an overall increase in most price values, accompanied by an impact on the value of money in circulation, resulting in a decrease in its actual value, an increase in the volume of money in the market, in turn resulting in a loss of the real value of the currency, and a rise in the prices of goods and services in commercial markets.

7- Impact on tourism

Terrorism undermines political, social and economic stability, which is directly reflected in the tourism sector, which means that the international political situation and the pervasive threat of terrorism are reflected in the low economic growth index in most of the world’s countries.

Third: economic costs of confronting terrorism in Egypt

Terrorism generally takes many forms, it may be economic terrorism from one country against another country, or a country against a group of countries, or a group of countries against a group of other countries, or a group of countries against one country, and it may be unorganized terrorism, or organized terrorism, or internal terrorism, and there are several forms of unregulated economic terrorism, summarized as follows:

1. Flooding the market with consumer goods. 2. Raising the prices of intermediate commodities with the aim of raising the cost of production. 3. Closing the markets of industrialized countries to third world products. 4. Employing cheap labor in large companies that have headquarters in developing countries 5. Sowing discord so that the economy does not stabilize, and to ensure the flow of capital to the European and American markets. 6. Freezing  assets of some depositors’ funds and preventing their withdrawal.

The most prominent economic losses of combating terrorism in Egypt are as follows:

1- Financial losses resulting from the destruction of buildings, cars, hotels, shops, and stores due to terrorist operations, bullying, and violence, and the cost of their reconstruction.

2- A shortage of tourism resources due to the flight of tourists resulting from terrorist operations, bullying and violence, especially since tourism is often considered a major source of foreign currency that the state needs to finance development.

3- The high cost of security due to the general mobilization of all state agencies concerned with it, which could have been directed to development and to raise the level of income of individuals.

4- Financial losses in the main facilities that were completely paralyzed due to terrorist attacks, bullying and violence, including roads, water and electricity, and the cost of rebuilding or re-establishing them.

5- The cost of treating the injured due to terrorist operations, bullying, and violence in hospitals, etc., which could have been directed to improving medical services and developing state resources.

6- The cost of wasted time resulting from cutting off roads and transportation and the like due to terrorist operations, bullying and violence, which should have been used for work, production and serving people’s interests.

According to the 2022 report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Egypt’s efforts and its comprehensive approach toward combating terrorism, the state worked through four pillars, which are measures aimed at addressing the conditions leading to terrorism, measures to combat and prevent terrorism, measures aimed at building the capabilities of countries in combating terrorism, and strengthening measures aimed at ensuring respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as a necessity to combat terrorism.

Egypt was at the forefront of countries that warned of the dangers of terrorism and its destructive repercussions on the stability of international peace and security. It also participated in the international community’s efforts to combat terrorism by joining the majority of international and regional instruments concerned with combating terrorism. Among the pillars on which the Egyptian state has worked are measures aimed at ensuring respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as a necessity to combat terrorism, based on the importance of combating terrorism in preserving the security of citizens and ensuring their full enjoyment of human rights, and the need to respect human rights in the context of combating terrorism.

In the international context, since 2015, Egypt has submitted, in the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, a resolution on the impact of terrorism on the enjoyment of all human rights, which deals with the impact of terrorism on the human right to life, liberty, and security of the person, and the threat of terrorism to economic and social development, and its serious repercussions on the enjoyment of all persons with human rights, a resolution that was merged in 2018 with the resolution submitted by Mexico on respect for human rights in the context of combating terrorism while paying due attention to the rights of victims, which was internationally accepted and appreciated, as the joint resolution is adopted under the title ” Terrorism and Human Rights” annually in the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council by consensus and without a vote.

Egypt also signed an agreement to start activating the Counter-Terrorism Center for the Community of Sahel-Saharan States in November 2021, as one of the most important components and mechanisms of these countries, and within the framework of Egypt’s efforts to support the capabilities of African countries, and as an affirmation of the pivotal Egyptian role in its continental environment. The center was established to coordinate the efforts of member states and exchange information that would help them in the comprehensive confrontation of terrorism, and to support peace and security on the continent. And the need for a collective and effective struggle against terrorism, in light of the assembly’s development of its activities and activities in several fields, including developmental, economic, social and others, to serve African society, in addition to the security field and combating terrorism.

Among the most prominent economic solutions and proposals used by the Egyptian state to confront terrorism are the following:

2- Redistributing wealth and development resources and meeting the various basic needs of the individual in a balanced manner that makes him possess the ability to give and build and to avoid the aggressive behavior and actions inherent to the phenomenon of terrorism, and in a manner that creates a state of mutual trust between the citizen and the state on the one hand, and the citizen and the members of the society surrounding him on the other hand. .

3- Building a developed economic base, and combating administrative corruption and bribery in all state facilities and administrations that provide the basic needs of the citizen.

5- Rehabilitating the communications and information sector in all parts of the country so that large segments of society can learn about scientific and technical developments, break their inhibitions and stagnation, and control the borders of the country by land, sea and air.

The ways to reduce the economic effects of terrorism and violence are as follows:

1- Doubling work and production with enthusiasm, zeal and determination to increase production and develop resources in order to compensate for economic losses and rebuild and develop it for the better.

2- Reconsidering the priorities of eliminating the economic effects of terrorism and violence through well-studied strategies, and in accordance with Sharia guidelines, by focusing on necessities.

3- Saving expenditures at the level of the individual, the family and the state so that the state can get out of the economic crisis, and confront financial corruption in all its forms to reach stability and prosperity.

In conclusion, terrorism is no longer confined to a specific organization, such as ISIS and others. Rather, the phenomenon of terrorism itself has become associated with this wide geographical spread, regardless of affiliation with the terrorist organization. Terrorism, in turn, has opened up ways for globalization to spread and expand, such as the flourishing of arms markets and the consequences of that. Deals with multinational companies, which confirms the necessity of confronting and limiting terrorism and its multiple negative effects sweeping across countries. Therefore, confronting terrorism and limiting its presence is one of the priorities of the Egyptian economy.

النشرة البريدية

إشترك في قائمتنا البريدية للحصول على التحديثات الجديدة, features of slander and lies in european parliament's statement on the human rights situation in egypt, egyptian-chinese partnership in light of "arab-chinese" relations ’s future, related articles, population aging…a reading of economic indicators and repercussions, crime of genocide and violation of international laws..”gaza is a model”, black sand in egypt…economic importance and enhancement efforts, indicators of violence against women globally and locally…and women with disabilities suffer the most.

• Main Indicators of Violence Against Women Globally and Locally…and Women with Disabilities Suffer the most March 16, 2024

World Wild Schooling

12 Least Safe Countries in the World To Avoid as a Tourist

Posted: May 7, 2024 | Last updated: May 7, 2024

The world is generally a pretty safe place to explore. Across the globe, there are wonderful places to visit, unique cultures to experience, one-of-a-kind attractions to admire, and interesting histories to learn about.

However, as impressive as most countries are, some aren’t safe for tourists. There are countries tourists must avoid, whether because of high crime rates, conflict, natural disasters, or political instability. 

To learn more, we’ve compiled a list of the least safe countries in the world to avoid as a tourist. We’ve selected these countries based on factors such as natural disasters, high crime rates, terrorism threats, and conflict.

Brazil is a vibrant nation known for its dense rainforests, iconic landmarks , beautiful beaches, and world-famous sports stars. However, while Brazil might be a hugely popular tourist destination, it’s also one of the least unsafe countries for travelers. Despite the apparent draws to the country, violent crime, such as armed robbery, carjacking, and murder, is common in urban areas during the day and at night.

To make matters worse, gang-related activity is widespread, and assaults, including with drugs and sedatives placed in drinks, are common. Furthermore, protests and civil unrest is a major issue in Brazil. Demonstrations and strikes are a regular occurrence in most major Brazilian cities.

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Philippines

The Philippines isn’t necessarily the least unsafe country, for one thing. However, when you consider multiple threat factors, such as violent crime, terrorism, and natural disasters, things look very different. Firstly, according to a Statista report, the Philippines has the highest risk of natural disasters worldwide. Due to the island nation’s location at the center of a typhoon belt and along a major tectonic plate boundary, the Philippines is at increased risk of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, and typhoons.

Travelers are also advised to exercise caution in the Philippines due to the threat of violent crime and terrorism. Political unrest has seen the danger of terrorism increase. In 2019, a terrorist attack at a church on Jolo Island killed 27 people.

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In recent years, Mexico has recorded its most dangerous period in the modern era. According to Semafor , in 2023, Mexico recorded more than 30,000 murders for the sixth year running. Other common issues in Mexico include kidnapping, sexual assault, and armed robbery. Most of the issues surrounding crime in Mexico center around gang violence and drug trafficking. 

Despite Mexico’s problems, the country is still a thriving tourist destination that welcomes millions of travelers yearly. However, tourists are advised to exercise extreme caution if they visit. Some of the places tourists should try to avoid include Tijuana, Los Cobos, and Ciudad Juárez.

Read also:  Must-Visit Cities in the World

Egypt is arguably the most fascinating country in the world. The allure of ancient ruins , pyramids, and hidden mysteries dating back thousands of years draws millions of tourists yearly. However, the North African country isn’t the safest of places to visit. 

In recent years, Egypt has fallen victim to several terrorist attacks. While these attacks haven’t been targeted at tourists, they can occur anywhere, anytime, and potential attacks could target popular locations. Recent terrorist attacks include the 2019 attack in Ismailiyah and the 2019 car bomb attack in Central Cairo’s Manial district, which killed 20 people. It’s also worth noting that Egypt has its fair share of tourist scams and street crime.

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According to the Council on Foreign Relations , Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Unsurprisingly, this has led to near-constant violent social upheaval, increased crime levels, and extreme violence, making it one of the most unsafe countries in the world as well. Unfortunately, violent crimes, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, sexual assault, and murder, are becoming increasingly common across the island nation.

The violence in Haiti has increased so much that the Government of Haiti declared a state of emergency on March 3, 2024. Spikes of gang violence in the country even saw the airports shut down and over 360,000 people displaced.

Read also:  Visa-Free Countries

Iraq in the Middle East continues to suffer the consequences of past conflicts, as well as threats from terrorist groups, primarily Islamic State. Iraq currently sits in 11th place on the Global Terrorism Index , making it one of the most at-risk countries in the world for terrorism. Potential threats include aerial bombardment, armed conflict, ambushes, and suicide attacks.

Unfortunately, following Iraq’s forces withdrawing from Syria, the likelihood of attacks has increased. This is due to the potential of militants returning to their territory, which has, in turn, created new security issues for the country. Despite the threats, though, Iraq has a moderate crime rate of 45.82. That’s almost half of Venezuela’s crime rate.

Read also:  Hidden Countries To Visit

Despite the ongoing political and social instability in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion, some tourists still try to visit. While travel to the Eastern European nation isn’t recommended, tourists can still technically visit. 

The most significant threat tourists in Ukraine face is attacks from Russian forces. The eastern region remains a war zone, with aerial and ground attacks potentially occurring anywhere, anytime. There is a significant risk to life, even if you’re away from the front line. As a result of the invasion, Ukraine’s economy has been debilitated, so tourists can also expect to experience poverty, social problems, and poor living standards.

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Venezuela is the most unsafe country in the world when it comes to crime rates. The South American nation has a crime rate of 82.1, making it a dangerous tourist destination. Venezuelan cities like Caracas and Ciudad Guayana are some of the least safe cities in the world. Most of the issues in Venezuela are due to civil unrest, corruption, hyperinflation, and economic mismanagement.

As a result, burglary, murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking are all common across the country. On top of that, wrongful detention, poor health infrastructure, and terrorism threats also affect the nation’s overall safety.

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Papua New Guinea

With a score of 80.4, Papua New Guinea has the second-highest crime rate in the world. Crime, civil unrest, and piracy are all issues the southwestern Pacific nation faces, making it an unsuitable destination for tourists. Common violent crimes in Papua New Guinea include home invasion, kidnapping, armed robbery, and sexual assault.

The leading cause of high crime rates across Papua New Guinea is the high levels of unemployment and tribal crime. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea is vulnerable to natural disasters. Papua New Guinea is at risk of natural disasters, including droughts, floods, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and tsunamis. A poor healthcare infrastructure also impacts the country’s overall safety rating.

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Before the Civil War, Somalia was a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches and impressive natural beauty. Now, the East African nation is one of the least safe places in the world, especially for tourists. One major problem in Somalia is piracy. Ilegal attacks on merchant ships and the kidnapping of tourists have had a significant impact on maritime security.

Meanwhile, the threat of terrorism, lack of stability, and internal conflicts have also created an unsafe environment not suitable for tourists. To make matters worse, Somalia’s geographical location puts it at risk of natural disasters, including droughts, flooding, cyclones, and famine. The U.S. Department of State currently states a Level Four (“do not travel”) advisory for Somalia.

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Afghanistan

After 20+ years of conflict, the Global Peace Index ranks Afghanistan as the most dangerous country in the world. Since the Taliban regained control of most of the nation in 2021, things have only got worse. The ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, combined with the threat of terrorism, kidnapping, and wrongful detainment, makes it an unsuitable place for tourists to visit, especially Western travelers.

Furthermore, according to the World Population Review , Afghanistan has a crime rate of 78.4, making it the fourth most unsafe country in the world regarding crime. This significant crime rate is put down to increased gang-related activity, a rise in the drug trade, and poverty across the country. Common crimes in Afghanistan include murder, kidnapping, extortion, and robbery.

Read also:  Unique Destinations To Visit Around the World

The final unsafe country we have for you is Belarus in Eastern Europe. While crime rates in Belarus are generally relatively low, Western tourists face the risks of arbitrary arrest and detention, malicious cyber activity, and government surveillance. Protests across the country are also common, with some turning violent. 

There is also some risk that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia may spread to Belarus. If it does, consular assistance could be severely impacted, making it more difficult for countries globally to repatriate their citizens. On top of that, Belarus’ government is regularly criticized for its human rights violations, which have led to civil unrest across the country.

Read also:  Spectacular Desert Landscapes in the World

Must-Visit European Cities

Turn your wanderlust into reality with our list of  must-visit European cities .

• Read more:  Must-Visit Cities in Europe

Visa-Free Countries

Explore these  countries visa-free  with your American passport.

• Read more:  Visa-Free Countries

Stunning Small Towns in Europe to Visit in Your Lifetime

Add these charming European small towns to your bucket list.

• Read more: Small Towns in Europe

Tropical Destinations To Add to Your Bucket List

Dreaming of paradise? Discover tropical destinations to add to your bucket list.

• Read more: Tropical Destinations To Visit in Your Lifetime

Caribbean Destinations Where No Visa Is Needed for Americans

Discover passport-free paradise with our guide to Caribbean destinations for US citizens .

• Read more: Caribbean Destinations Without Visa

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Erdogan rebukes Greek PM for calling Hamas ‘terrorists,’ says 1,000+ members being treated in Turkey

Monday’s summit between Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, heralded as a milestone in improving ties between the historically hostile nations, was marked instead by Erdogan’s spirited defense of Hamas during a live press conference that followed their meeting in Ankara and his disclosure that over 1,000 Hamas members were being treated in Turkey.

“There is a very important issue on which we disagree,” Erdogan told the audience. “I do not see Hamas as a terror organization."

Noting that Palestinian lands have been occupied since 1947, Erdogan said that “Hamas is a resistance group” that was “waging a struggle to protect” Palestinian lands. “If one calls Hamas that has lost 40,000 of its people a terrorist organization, this would be a heartless approach,” Erdogan added. He then dropped the bombshell: “As of this moment, I am following Hamas step by step, and there are more than 1,000 Hamas members who are all being treated in our hospitals. This is how we are doing things. … I cannot agree with your approach. This would be unfair,” Erdogan concluded. He did not explain how the Hamas militants had made their way to Turkey.

Media reports later cited Turkish officials claiming Erdogan misspoke regarding militants being treated in the country, but Ankara has yet to issue any official clarification. 

Erdogan has sharply increased his verbal salvos against Israel since the March 31 local elections in which his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered heavy losses in part over what his pious base saw as the government’s wimpish stand on Gaza. Turkey has since formally scotched all trade with Israel, and on Sunday, Erdogan said Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “reached a stage in genocide methods that even Hitler would envy.”

Erdogan’s latest comments came after Mitsotakis told the news conference that “particularly in the Middle East there are differences with Turkey.” Noting that Israel had entered Gaza after losing its citizens in a “terror” incident, and that Greece considered Hamas a “terrorist organization,” Mitsotakis said, “We know that Turkey sees things differently and has a different definition [of Hamas].” Mitsotakis continued, “nonetheless we agree on the need for the bloodshed to cease and for civilians in Gaza to be protected and that a land invasion of Rafah would be unacceptable.”

Mitsotakis handled Erdogan’s outburst skillfully, saying “let us agree to disagree.” But the exchange will have put something of a damper ahead of a state dinner that Erdogan is hosting in his Greek guest’s honor. It will not have helped that Mitsotakis rebuked Erdogan in his remarks for last week’s formal conversion of the Chora, an iconic Greek Orthodox Church, into a full-service mosque, calling it “unfortunate.” Erdogan retorted that “Turkey has set an example for all as a country that preserves its cultural heritage … the Chora Mosque is open to everybody with its new identity.”

A spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment on Erdogan’s revelations about the Hamas members being treated in Turkey. Hay Eytan Yanarocak, a Turkey expert at Tel Aviv University, said, “There’s a big difference between treating wounded civilians and treating Hamas militants.”  

“This is a new low,” Yanarocak said, and canceled out the “positive news” that junior Israeli diplomats were returning to Ankara following months after being withdrawn in October amid security concerns.

A State Department spokesperson, speaking on background, said, "We have been clear about our position on Hamas. With regard to Hamas, the United States designated Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997." 

"As for President Erdogan's comments, we would refer you to his office," the spokesperson added.

No irreconcilable differences

Before the barbs began flying, the two leaders spoke warmly of their meeting — the second in five months — which is in line with the new “positive agenda” established by the sides and aimed at de-escalating tensions that have at times brought the traditional foes and NATO allies to the brink of conflict. “We had an immensely productive, sincere and constructive meeting,” Erdogan said, noting that the sides aimed to increase annual bilateral trade to $10 billion from the $6 billion recorded last year and confirmed the establishment of a Greek-Turkish business council. “I shared my belief that there are no problems between us and Greece that are insurmountable. This is a process. In order for it to yield further results, we must move forward with the utmost care,” Erdogan said. He also praised Greece for backing Palestine in last week’s UN general assembly vote on its bid to become a full member of the international body.

The Turkish leader sported a blue tie and suit and a white shirt, the national colors of Greece. Mitsotakis, who dressed almost identically, was equally effusive, saying relations between the two countries were proceeding on a “win-win basis.” For example, Turkish tourists are now allowed visa-free travel to 10 Greek islands even though Greece is a member of the European Union, which has strict restrictions on entering its borders. Mitsotakis praised Turkey’s efforts to curb illegal immigration to Europe via Greece. “Turkey is very determined on this count. It made a very positive contribution,” he said.

Both leaders made only passing allusions to the chronic problems bedeviling ties. Topping the list are differences over territory and air space in and over the Aegean Sea. More recently, tensions flared over drilling and production rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is home to large gas reserves that are claimed by both sides as well as by Cyprus.

A senior Greek official who briefed Al-Monitor ahead of the visit said the sides were deliberately modest in their expectations. “There won’t be a breakthrough. What is important is to keep the channels of communication open,” the official, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely, said.

US mediation

The meeting follows a period of detente that kicked off last year when Greece rushed to Turkey’s aid after massive twin earthquakes rocked the country’s southern region killing more than 50,000 people. However, Washington is known to have played a critical role in accelerating the thaw when it signaled that the sale of 40 F-35 fighter jets to Greece might be authorized if pro-Greek congressmen in the United States agreed to withdraw their objections to the sale of 40 F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. One of the reasons cited by Congress for its continued opposition to the Turkish deal was Ankara’s aggressive and threatening behavior toward Greece. Last year, Erdogan said that Mitsotakis “does not exist for me” after accusing him of lobbying Congress to bar the sale.

Congress began softening after Turkey stopped military flights over Greek islands in the Aegean, marking a significant de-escalation after years of incendiary rhetoric and provocative actions by both sides. Mock dogfights by Greek and Turkish jets and the mutual shadowing of navy frigates eased in tandem, and Turkey’s approval of Sweden’s membership of NATO cemented the deal. “It would have probably been very difficult” for it to go through had Turkey not de-escalated with Greece, said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, Turkey director for the German Marshall Fund for the United States. More broadly, improving ties with Greece will help Turkey repair its own with the United States and Europe, Unluhisarcikli added, which in turn will help Erdogan turn around his country’s ailing economy.

In December, Erdogan traveled to Athens where he signed a declaration with Mitsotakis on “friendly relations and good neighborliness,” which set a framework within which the two countries hope to build confidence through trade, tourism and cooperation in fields such as combating illegal migration, which is vital for Europe who sees Turkey as a gatekeeper for unwanted refugees.

Further confidence building measures have followed, the Greek official said. There is now a direct hotline between the Greek and Turkish militaries who exchange officers and organize joint sports events. “The aim of these meetings is to sustain the de-escalated status so as to avoid potential, if accidental, war,” Unluhisarcikli said.

Rina Bassist and Elizabeth Hagedorn contributed to this report.

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The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 2)

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Middle East Crisis Anger and Protests Shadow Israel’s Memorial Day

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• Sirens blare as Israelis commemorate Memorial Day with two minutes of silence in Jerusalem. Reuters
• Mourning at a grave in Ashdod, Israel. Nir Elias/Reuters
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at a Memorial Day ceremony at the military cemetery at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Gil Cohen-Magen/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Observing two minutes of silence at the site of the Nova Music Festival in Reim, Israel. Amir Levy/Getty Images
• Israeli army tanks near the border with Gaza in southern Israel. Jack Guez/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Families gathering their belongings as they prepare to flee Rafah, southern Gaza. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Palestinians flee parts of Jabaliya as fighting intensifies again in the north of Gaza. By Reuters
• Palestinians receiving food rations in Deir al Balah, central Gaza. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Video shot by a drone shows a crowded encampment in Deir al Balah. By The Associated Press

Protesters disrupt Israel’s day of mourning, highlighting wartime divisions.

Israel’s Memorial Day is normally one of the most somber on the country’s calendar, a date when Israelis put aside their differences to grieve fellow citizens killed in war or terrorist attacks.

But as Israelis gathered across the country on Monday for the first national day of mourning since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks, protesters disrupted several ceremonies by heckling government ministers. Their interventions underscored how feelings of wartime unity have given way to deep disputes over the war in Gaza, the fate of hostages taken on Oct. 7 and domestic politics.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was heckled by critics as he attended a memorial at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, the site of Israel’s national cemetery. One person was heard shouting, “Garbage.” Another said, “You took my children.”

At a ceremony in Ashdod, in southern Israel, bystanders shouted at the national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, calling him a “criminal,” before his supporters tried to drown them out.

Such disruptions have precedent. Protesters taunted Mr. Ben-Gvir and other ministers last year , before the war began, when anger over the government’s efforts to overhaul the judicial system was the most prominent source of social division.

This year’s protests reflected growing anguish among parts of the population about the way Mr. Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government has handled the war. While Israeli society closed ranks immediately after the Hamas-led attack and the Israeli military offensive in Gaza that followed, critics increasingly blame Mr. Netanyahu for failing to prevent the atrocities on Oct. 7. The Israeli authorities say that roughly 1,200 people were killed and some 240 others abducted in the attack.

While the government has managed to secure the release of more than 100 hostages, at least half are dead or are still in captivity. Many of their loved ones want the government to agree to an immediate cease-fire with Hamas that would allow for the remaining captives to be released, even it means leaving Hamas in control of parts of Gaza.

A poll conducted this month by the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based research group, suggests that a majority of Israelis see a hostage deal as a priority over a military operation in Rafah. Israel calls the city, where more than a million Palestinians had sought shelter from fighting elsewhere , Hamas’s last major stronghold in Gaza .

But Israel and Hamas have not agreed to such a deal despite months of mediation. And Mr. Netanyahu has insisted that Israeli forces will invade Rafah amid threats by his far-right coalition partners — including Mr. Ben-Gvir — that they will bring down the government if the war ends without the total defeat of Hamas.

On Monday at a Memorial Day ceremony in Holon, in central Israel, hecklers shouted at Miri Regev, the transport minister, and called on her to resign. One asked: “What about the hostages?”

As Yoav Gallant, the defense minister, attended a ceremony in Tel Aviv, a protester held up a sign that said: “Their blood is on your hands.”

— Patrick Kingsley and Myra Noveck reporting from Jerusalem

An international U.N. worker was killed in Rafah, a first since the conflict began.

The United Nations said that a staff member was killed when one of its convoys came under fire in Rafah on Monday. It was the first time an international U.N. staff member has been killed in Gaza since the conflict began in October.

The convoy, which the U.N. said was clearly marked with the emblem of the organization, was on its way to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis to assess the aid and security situation when it came under fire, according to Farhan Haq, a U.N. spokesman.

Another staff member was injured in the attack, the U.N. said.

The nationality of the killed worker, a man, was not immediately announced. Jordan’s foreign ministry confirmed in a statement that the injured staff member, a woman, was Jordanian and said the incident was “a result of Israel’s expansion of military operations in Rafah," adding that Jordan “holds Israel responsible for this.”

In addition to the more than 35,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s war with Hamas, according to the Gazan health authorities, the conflict has been the deadliest one for the U.N. in its history. More than 190 U.N. staff members have been killed, Mr. Haq said, all Palestinians except for the staff member killed on Monday.

“Humanitarian workers must be protected,” António Guterres, Secretary General of the U.N., said in a post on social media. “I condemn all attacks on U.N. personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire & the release of all hostages.”

One senior U.N. official, who was briefed on the incident by security officials in Gaza, said an initial assessment indicated that the convoy was not struck from the air and was not caught in crossfire.

The convoy was going along its route in the morning in marked U.N. vehicles when it came under direct gunfire, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the United Nations had yet to release a public report on the incident.

Heavy fighting continued on Monday in Gaza City, Jabaliya and Rafah, the southern city where more than one million people fled to try to escape Israel’s military offensive. Mr. Haq said that 360,000 people have fled Rafah since Israel issued an evacuation order a week ago.

“We remain deeply concerned about the lack of protection for civilians and the lack of safety for humanitarian operations,” Mr. Haq said. “Civilians must be protected and have their basic needs met, whether they move or stay.”

Dr. James Smith, a British emergency specialist who was traveling between medical facilities in southern Gaza on Monday, said via text message that he had visited the European Gaza Hospital earlier in the day. Dr. Smith said the emergency room was busy with screaming patients and medical staff running through the corridors.

He said very little aid was available to displaced people seeking shelter and the scenes around the hospital were bleak.

“Khan Younis has been decimated,” Dr. Smith said.

The World Health Organization said on Monday that the Israeli incursion into Rafah had jeopardized health services, with humanitarian workers unable to deliver lifesaving medical supplies.

Mr. Haq said that the lack of fuel entering Gaza remains one of the top challenges for humanitarian aid work. Hospital generators require at least 46,000 liters of fuel per day, and the need for fuel will only grow as the fighting in Rafah expands, Mr. Haq said.

Anushka Patil contributed reporting.

— Farnaz Fassihi

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The White House says Israel still has not provided a plan for protecting civilians in Rafah.

President Biden’s national security adviser said on Monday that while the United States was committed to Israel’s defense, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government had still failed to provide the White House with a plan for moving nearly a million Gazans safely out of Rafah before any invasion of the city.

In a lengthy presentation to reporters, the adviser, Jake Sullivan, also said Israel had yet to “connect their military operations” to a political plan for the future governance of the Palestinian territory.

Mr. Sullivan, who has been at the center of the administration’s response to the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel and its aftermath, described in detail the administration’s objectives in intervening to achieve a cease-fire and a return of hostages, including Americans, still in the hands of Hamas. But beneath repeated expressions of support for Israel, he made clear Mr. Biden’s frustration in dealings with Mr. Netanyahu, after a series of heated conversations between the two men.

Mr. Sullivan insisted that the only weapons Mr. Biden was withholding from the Israelis were 2,000-pound bombs, for fear that the U.S. munitions, which can level whole city blocks, would be employed by Israel in its effort to rout Hamas leaders from their tunnel network, deep under the city.

The United States, he noted, was still sending defensive weapons, and a range of offensive arms that did not run the risk of major civilian casualties.

“We still believe it would be a mistake to launch a major military operation into the heart of Rafah that would put huge numbers of civilians at risk without a clear strategic gain,” Mr. Sullivan said. “The president was clear that he would not supply certain offensive weapons for such an operation, were it to occur.”

But he insisted it “has not yet occurred,” despite heightened bombing around the city, and said the United States was “still working with Israel on a better way to ensure the defeat of Hamas everywhere in Gaza, including in Rafah.”

Nonetheless, House Republicans are planning to push through a bill that would rebuke Mr. Biden for pausing the shipments of the 2,000 pound bombs. It would be a symbolic move — there is no way the bill would pass the Democratic-controlled Senate — but appeared to be part of an effort to turn the arms holdup into an election-year issue; many Democrats had been urging Mr. Biden to suspend or limit arms sales to Israel.

The vote is designed to split Democrats on an issue that has been cleaving the party and serve as another way for Republicans to present themselves as the true friends of Israel.

Representative Michael McCaul, Republican of Texas and chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called Mr. Biden’s arms holdup a “disastrous policy decision” that was also “deliberately hidden from Congress and the American people.”

As recently as eight days ago, the State Department was still arguing that the weapons holdup was a technical matter. But after word leaked out, Mr. Biden himself acknowledged, in an interview on CNN, that he had made the decision.

When Mr. Sullivan said the United States was still working with Israel on a way to deal with terrorists in Rafah, he appeared to be referring to a series of tense interactions with the Israelis about alternatives to a full-scale invasion. Those largely center on targeted counterterrorism operations, similar to how Israel dealt with hunting down the perpetrators of the Munich Olympics terror attack in 1972.

Mr. Sullivan refused to discuss recent reports saying United States intelligence officials suspected that Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s most senior official in Gaza, was no longer in Rafah. But he acknowledged that if Mr. Sinwar had moved his base of operations elsewhere, the attack on the southern city made even less sense.

He was most blistering about Israel’s inability, seven months after the initial terrorist attack, to develop a plan for how Gaza would be administered after the war was over, or how to link their military assaults on Gaza to political objectives.

“We’re talking to Israel about how to connect their military operations to a clear strategic end game, about a holistic, integrated strategy to ensure the lasting defeat of Hamas and a better alternative future for Gaza and for the Palestinian people,” he said.

The failure of Israel’s current approach, he said, was made evident by the fact that areas in the North that were previously bombed have seen a return of Hamas, which ruled over Gaza, if often corruptly, for many years. He suggested the administration feared the same would happen in Rafah and elsewhere unless the military action was linked to a credible plan for Palestinian governance.

Annie Karni contributed reporting.

— David E. Sanger and Zach Montague

Republicans plan a symbolic House vote ordering a reversal of Biden’s pause on arms to Israel.

House Republican leaders plan this week to push through a bill rebuking President Biden for his decision to pause an arms shipment to Israel and compelling his administration to quickly deliver weapons.

The vote will be purely symbolic given that the legislation stands no chance of passage in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But it is the latest bid by G.O.P. lawmakers to spotlight the divisions among Democrats over Israel’s conduct of its offensive against Hamas while portraying themselves as the true friends of the Jewish state.

The measure would compel the delivery of approved defense articles and services to Israel within 15 days of enactment. It also threatens to cut off funding for the Defense Department, the State Department and the National Security Council until the arms that have been suspended have been delivered. And it reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself.

For weeks, progressive Democrats in Congress have been urging Mr. Biden to limit or halt arms shipments to Israel, citing the tens of thousands of civilian casualties in Gaza and the impending famine there. Now that he has done so, the president has come in for criticism by more center-leaning and pro-Israel Democrats.

Representative Ritchie Torres, Democrat of New York, said on social media that Mr. Biden’s move “makes a mockery of our credibility as an ally” and accused the president of pandering to the left. Senator John Fetterman, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has emerged as an unlikely pro-Israel voice in Congress, called the move “deeply disappointing.”

The rebukes from Republicans have been even harsher. Last week, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, and Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana sent a joint letter to Mr. Biden demanding an explanation for the delay of the arms shipment.

“These recent press reports and pauses in critical weapons shipments call into question your pledge that your commitment to Israel’s security remain ironclad,” Mr. Johnson and Mr. McConnell wrote.

Representative Michael McCaul, Republican of Texas and chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called it a “disastrous policy decision” that was also “deliberately hidden from Congress and the American people.”

— Annie Karni Reporting from Capitol Hill

An aid convoy headed to Gaza is attacked in the West Bank.

A convoy of aid trucks headed to the Gaza Strip was blocked and vandalized for hours on Monday, according to a right-wing Israeli group that planned the blockage and an Israeli activist who had gone to the site seeking to protect the convoy.

The Israeli police, tasked with securing aid convoys, said multiple suspects were arrested and that it was investigating the incident.

The right-wing group, Tzav 9, has led previous attempts to obstruct humanitarian aid shipments to the Gaza Strip from Israel. A spokesman, Israel Keller, said that Tzav 9 members had only blocked the trucks, “which directly reach Hamas, giving the group control over the Gaza Strip.” He said that it was others — whom he did not identify — who had vandalized their contents. Tzav 9 reposted a news video online showing people holding Israeli flags and standing around to block the trucks.

Other videos circulating online, which were verified by The New York Times, showed people tearing open bags containing food and spilling their contents out. Additional footage posted on social media Monday evening showed one of the trucks caught up in flames after being set on fire, according to Israeli media reports.

The opposing activist, Sapir Sluzker Amran, said she had gone to the Tarqumiya checkpoint in the West Bank to try to help ward off an attack after seeing messages calling on settlers and right-wing activists to obstruct the aid convoy there.

She said that roughly four aid trucks were parked for inspection at the checkpoint, northwest of Hebron, and that a few dozen people arrived around 10 a.m., inflicted minor damage and left. But, she said, about an hour and a half later hundreds more came, and proceeded to vandalize the trucks’ contents for hours with little response from security forces present at the scene.

Little to none of the aid, which included rice, sugar and instant noodle packets, remained usable after the attack, Ms. Sluzker Amran said.

Two U.S. government spokesmen addressed the violence on Monday. Vedant Patel, a State Department spokesman, said that the United States had “raised the incident with the government of Israel, and we expect them to take appropriate action.”

“It is our strong view that aid cannot and must not be interfered with,” he also said.

In addition, Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security adviser, called such attacks “completely and utterly unacceptable behavior” in a press briefing on Monday. “We are looking at the tools that we have to respond to this, and we are also raising our concerns with the highest level of the Israeli government.”

Similar attacks earlier this month led Jordan to condemn Israel for not doing more to stop extremists from vandalizing Jordanian aid convoys, which pass through the West Bank and Israel on the way to Gaza.

“The Israel govt is fully responsible for the attack on a Jordanian aid convoy en route to Erez by radical settlers who again committed their despicable crime unchallenged by Israeli authorities,” Jordan’s minister of foreign affairs, Ayman Safadi, wrote on X on May 7.

— Johnatan Reiss reporting from Tel Aviv

A look at where fierce fighting continues in Gaza.

Netiv Haasara

Area told to

evacuate this

Raids and fighting

reported in

Fighting in Zeitoun,

Residents told not to

return to north

Mediterranean

Residents told

Clashes in parts of

Rafah, Israel and

Kerem Shalom

Israeli forces fought Hamas across the Gaza Strip on Monday, with airstrikes and ground combat shaking the northern and southern ends of the territory as thousands of fleeing civilians continued a desperate search for safety.

The fighting appeared to be heaviest in Gaza City, Beit Lahia and Jabaliya in northern Gaza, and in Rafah, the southern city where more than one million Palestinians had gone to try to escape Israel’s military offensive.

Palestinian news media reported that airstrikes had hit parts of Beit Lahia and Jabaliya, in neighborhoods near the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The reports said that people had been killed; details from Gazan health authorities were not immediately available.

Hamas said on Monday that it had launched mortars at Israeli soldiers inside the Rafah crossing, which links Gaza and Egypt and has been closed since Israel seized it last week. The Hamas claim could not be independently verified, and the Israeli military did not directly answer questions about it.

The military said that air raid sirens had gone off in two Israeli communities on the border with northern Gaza, Kibbutz Mefalsim and Netiv Haasara, suggesting that rockets had been fired from the territory. There was no immediate indication of any damage.

Israel ordered the evacuation of northern Gaza in the early days of the war last October, but many residents remained behind or returned as fighting there ebbed. Over the weekend, Israel ordered residents near Jabaliya to leave, saying the military would strike northern Gaza “with great force” against Hamas fighters who had regrouped there.

On Sunday, it struck. The military began an operation in Jabaliya that it said was “based on intelligence information regarding attempts by Hamas to reassemble its terrorist infrastructure and operatives in the area.” On Telegram, Hamas said its fighters were engaged in “fierce clashes” east of Jabaliya.

The Israeli military also said on Sunday that it was operating in Zeitoun, a neighborhood in western Gaza City, and continuing “precise operations” in eastern Rafah.

— Liam Stack and Lauren Leatherby

Israelis mark Memorial Day among portraits of those lost at the Nova festival ground.

Israelis gather at site of oct. 7 festival attack to mourn loved ones, people gathered on israel’s national day of mourning to remember festivalgoers who were killed on oct. 7 by the hamas-led assault..

[music playing] “This is my first time because it was so painful for me. I’ve been in the funeral, and it was too painful. Now I just took myself to here because I want to remember her in here and put a candle for her and pray for her.” “Sad, sad. The sky is crying with us. The rain was all around. I feel bad.” [singing]

In a sandy clearing near Israel’s border with Gaza, soldiers, civilians and tourists wandered silently through a dense thicket of poles. Affixed to the poles were portraits of the hundreds of people who came there to dance late one night last October and never made it home.

As Israelis observed Memorial Day, the country’s annual commemoration for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorist attacks, many were drawn to the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival , a rave dedicated to peace and love that was interrupted around sunrise on Oct. 7 by a barrage of rockets from Gaza, signaling the start of the Hamas-led cross-border assault.

In the horror that followed, at least 360 festivalgoers were slain — nearly a third of the roughly 1,200 people killed in southern Israel that day, according to the Israeli authorities. Gunmen who surged across the border surrounded the Nova site , ambushed people as they tried to escape in their cars and hunted them down in bomb shelters along the road or as they fled across furrowed fields.

Observing Israel’s first national day of mourning after the deadliest day in the 76-year history of the state, and with the country still at war in Gaza, many people came to the Nova memorial site beginning on Sunday to remember the dead and those festivalgoers who were taken hostage to Gaza and are still being held there.

On Sunday, a solemn hush was broken at times by Israeli flags snapping in the wind, and by the sharp cracks of artillery fire from Israeli troop positions nearby.

“The earth is crying out,” said Eliran Shuraki, 39, a resident of central Israel who had come to the Nova site for the first time on Sunday with a friend. “Our hearts are broken,” he added.

They had first visited Be’eri , one of the border communities worst affected on Oct. 7, and where one of Mr. Shuraki’s colleagues lost three generations of relatives, he said. Mr. Shuraki’s brother lost a brother-in-law, a police officer, at the Nova festival, he said.

Nicole and Guy Peretz, a couple in their early 30s, had come from Ashkelon up the coast. Both are former police officers, and several of their former colleagues were killed at the site, they said.

“Until you come here yourself and see the incomprehensible number of people with your own eyes, you cannot absorb it,” Ms. Peretz said.

More makeshift memorials dot the roadsides, orchards and meadows for miles around, made up of portraits and piles of stones, handwritten notes and candles, and wreaths that have withered under the beating sun.

In a field nearby, hundreds of incinerated cars gathered from the roadsides after the Oct. 7 attack are piled up in a graveyard of metal.

Even the bomb shelters where so many sought protection that day, only to be killed as they huddled inside, have turned into shrines. Their charred and blood-spattered interiors have been whitewashed. The stench has gone. Their walls are now covered with graffiti: searing messages, photographs and prayers memorializing those who were there but are no longer.

— Isabel Kershner reporting from southern Israel

A ceremony reflects on losses suffered by both Israelis and Palestinians.

With Israel’s most sacrosanct day of remembrance as a backdrop, peace activists in Israel broadcast their annual Joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony on Sunday night, with parallel events in London, New York and Los Angeles.

The ceremony, organized by Combatants for Peace and the Parents Circle — Families Forum, two peace-building organizations, is unusual in that it tries to recognize not only Israeli grief, but also the toll of Palestinian suffering over the decades. This year’s event was especially poignant given that it was the first since the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and comes amid the devastation caused by the war in Gaza.

This year the ceremony, which has been held annually since 2006, was prerecorded to avoid the possibility of disruption by protesters. In previous years it attracted sharp criticism and a legal challenge in Israel, and on Sunday organizers said just before the ceremony was set to be broadcast that its website had been hacked. As a result, the organizers said it was not possible to watch it on YouTube as planned, and viewers instead watched on Facebook.

The ceremony, an annual focus for peace activists in Israel, featured speeches, songs, a poem about peace and a video that showed children in Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank talking about the effect of war. One child wished “for everyone who died to come back to life.” Palestinians in the West Bank did not participate in person, given that Israel stopped allowing many Palestinians to work in Israel after the Oct. 7 attacks led by Hamas, which the Israeli authorities say killed around 1,200 people. There were also no direct contributions by speakers in Gaza.

“For many Israelis it seems provocative,” Yuval Rahamim said of the ceremony in an interview by telephone from Tel Aviv. Mr. Rahamim, co-director of the Parents Circle — Families Forum, an Israeli-Palestinian organization of families who have lost immediate relatives in the conflict, said that his father had been killed in the 1967 Arab–Israeli War. He acknowledged that many Israelis would find the event jarring, given the scale of suffering on Oct. 7, but he said that also gave it more significance.

“Many people have woken up to the reality that this conflict cannot go on,” he said, referring to the decades of violence. “People are willing to stand up.”

His sentiment was echoed by Magen Inon, 41, whose parents were killed on Oct. 7 and who spoke in person at the start of the screening in London, which was held at a Jewish community center. He said that he did not want what had happened to his family to be used as an argument for further war. “We felt as if our personal pain is being hijacked by the national cause,” said Mr. Inon, who now works as a peace activist.

Many Israelis have argued the country is still bound by a sense of national shock and loss over Oct. 7. and are stunned by international criticism of the war in Gaza, which they mostly see as justified.

More than 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza during Israeli’s military campaign to defeat Hamas, health officials there say, and almost everyone there has been displaced from their homes amid a hunger crisis that aid workers say has been largely caused by Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries to the enclave.

But the ceremony, which was screened at more than 200 venues in Israel, spoke to the diversity and complexity of opinion within Israeli society about the issue. Several speakers discussed their hope for an end to generations of bloodshed, and for peace.

Among the most stark contributions came from Palestinian speakers who described conditions in Gaza.

Ghadir Hani read a contribution from a woman in Gaza, whose name was given only as Najla, describing how she had lost 20 family members in the war, including her brother, a father of two, who she said had been killed while going to look for food for his parents.

“They killed him while walking in the street though posing no threat whatsoever,” Ms. Hani read. “The death machine is still ready to kill,” she added. “But I know that on the other side there are many people who believe in peace.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has repeatedly said that Israel’s war is with Hamas, rather than the people of Gaza, and that his government regrets civilian casualties.

Another contributor, Ahmed Helou, a member of Combatants for Peace, which gathers people who have fought either for Israel or for Palestinian groups, suggested that the ferocity of Israel’s campaign had forced him to reassess the personal cost of his commitment to peace.

“The Israeli army is still killing shamelessly. Everyone in Gaza is a terrorist in their eyes,” said Mr. Helou, as he recounted a litany of death his family had endured in Gaza. “Does causing unsurmountable pain promise peace for the Israelis?”

Israel’s Memorial Day began at sundown on Sunday and ceremonies will be held through Monday afternoon.

— Matthew Mpoke Bigg