DUBLIN, Ireland: Paul Murphy, a member of the Irish parliament from the People Before Profit-Solidarity party, said he is one of several people being held by Egyptian authorities while trying to join a march to Gaza.

Murphy is part of a large group trying to reach the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. He flew to Cairo on June 12 and began his journey toward Gaza the next day.

In a post on social media, Murphy said, "We have had our passports taken away and are being held by the authorities. It looks like the Egyptian government has decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza."

He said the Egyptian army took his passport and the passports of others in the group. Those being held are being asked to get on a bus, and they believe they are going to be deported.

Murphy said, "We are refusing to get on the deportation bus."

He told the PA news agency that some other Irish citizens were also among those stopped.

In a video, Murphy said, "It's worrying that the Egyptian authorities seem ready to stop our peaceful march to Gaza. We want to demand an end to Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid — food, water, and medical supplies."

He asked people to increase their efforts and contact their governments. "In Ireland, please contact Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris or your local TD. Ask them to pressure the Egyptian government to let us continue our peaceful march."

He added, "The world has watched a terrible genocide for the past 20 months. Since March, there has been a complete effort to cause starvation. This is a peaceful march demanding that the blockade end and that Western governments stop supporting it."