Egyptian activists have lodged a complaint against Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and others over the docking of the German ship MV Kathrin at Alexandria Port, which carries 150,000 kg of explosives allegedly destined for Israel.
The ship, which arrived on October 28 after being refused entry by several countries, allegedly carries 150,000 kg of RDX explosives intended for Israeli military operations. The activists argue that allowing the ship to dock poses a threat to Egyptian and Arab national security and makes Egypt complicit in international law violations.
The MV Kathrin’s journey began when authorities in Namibia discovered its explosive cargo. After being rejected by multiple countries, including Malta and Angola, the ship was forced to change flags from Portuguese to German before docking in Alexandria.
Upon arrival, it reportedly unloaded eight containers of RDX explosives, which are believed to be intended for Israeli Military Industries, a major arms manufacturer.
The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has highlighted concerns over the Egyptian government’s role in facilitating this delivery, asserting that it contradicts international humanitarian law.
In response to the outcry, the Egyptian government has confirmed the docking of the MV Kathrin but denies any involvement in the transfer of military materials to Israel. Officials state that the ship was permitted to unload its cargo intended for the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production.
Nonetheless, human rights organizations have called for the shipment to be blocked, citing the risk of contributing to war crimes in Gaza.
As international scrutiny grows, legal actions are being pursued to halt the delivery and address the implications of such transactions on regional security and human rights.
