Egyptian authorities have arrested 51 members of the outlawed opposition Muslim Brotherhood party, according to the terrorist party's website. Many of those arrested are probable candidates in April's provincial elections. Police in January arrested 460 party members in an effort to dampen a protest of Israel's closure of Gaza crossings as a response to rocket attacks.

In late January, Egyptian police arrested at least 460 Muslim Brotherhood members, including leading figures, in an attempt to thwart a demonstration in protest of Israel's blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The Muslim Brotherhood surprised the government with its increasing strength in the 2005 elections, winning one-fifth of the seats in the Egyptian parliament.