North African activists embark on convoy to challenge Israel's blockade
- A convoy of buses and private cars departed from Tunisia on June 9, 2025, with the aim of protesting Israel's blockade on Gaza.
- The caravan consists of activists, lawyers, and medical professionals, and plans to travel through Libya into Egypt.
- This initiative symbolizes support for Gaza amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis and highlights the need for international attention and action.
On June 9, 2025, activists from North Africa initiated a convoy from the capital of Tunisia towards Gaza to protest the ongoing blockade imposed by Israel. This overland journey, organized by civil society groups, aims to highlight the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which has been exacerbated by Israel's restrictions. The convoy comprises a diverse group, including activists, lawyers, and medical professionals, and intends to pass through Libya and Egypt to reach the Rafah border crossing, an area that has remained mostly closed since the control of the Gaza side by Israeli forces back in May 2024. The organizers stated their goal is to demand the immediate lifting of what they termed an unjust siege. They expressed concern that Arab governments have not exerted enough pressure to resolve the ongoing conflict, which has continued for 20 months since hostilities escalated. Israel had begun allowing limited humanitarian aid into Gaza, but experts have warned that famine is a likely outcome if the blockade persists amid ongoing military operations. The convoy's movement coincides with the recent interception of a Freedom Flotilla Coalition shipment, which was attempting to deliver aid to Gaza before being captured by Israeli authorities. Although the convoy participants do not expect to enter Gaza, their demonstration is intended to send solidarity messages to the residents there, assuring them that they are not forgotten. As plans for the convoy were laid out, the organizers took into account the current political and security situation in Libya due to recent clashes between rival militias. Unsurprisingly, participants did not bring any humanitarian supplies on this journey but aim to exert political pressure and influence public opinion surrounding the plight of those in Gaza. The convoy has already drawn attention in both Tunisia and Algeria, with many supporters openly expressing their solidarity by waving flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.