Thousands of activists are participating in the Global March to Gaza, aiming to break Israel’s siege and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis. The Sumud Convoy from Tunisia has arrived in Libya and plans to continue to Cairo and eventually the Rafah crossing into Gaza. However, they face potential obstacles from authorities in Libya and Egypt, while the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen, heightening the urgency of their mission.
The Global March to Gaza has gathered significant momentum as thousands of activists worldwide seek to break Israel’s siege on the Gaza Strip and raise awareness regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding there. Recently, around 1,000 individuals from the Tunisian-led Sumud Convoy arrived in Libya after a day of travel from Tunis. Currently on a brief respite, they still require authorization to continue into the eastern regions of Libya before heading toward their ultimate destination, the Rafah crossing into Gaza.
Leading the Sumud Convoy is the Coordination of Joint Action for Palestine, connected to the broader initiative known as the Global March for Palestine. This group primarily consists of citizens from the Maghreb, with aspirations to exert pressure on global leaders regarding Gaza. The convoy, supported by several notable organizations—like the Tunisian General Labour Union and the National Bar Association—is coordinating with activists from about 50 nations converging on Cairo, set for a shared march to Rafah on June 12.
Upon reaching Libya, the convoy’s plan is to press onward to Cairo. “Most people around me are feeling courage and anger about what’s happening in Gaza,” remarked Ghaya Ben Mbarek, an independent Tunisian journalist joining the march at Libya’s border. She expressed that, as a journalist, it is crucial for her to fight against the genocide and hunger afflicting Gaza’s populace. Once the convoy unites with fellow activists in Cairo, it plans to journey onward to El Arish, eventually making the three-day trek to the Rafah crossing.
However, considerable hurdles await on this journey. As of now, the convoy lacks permission to traverse eastern Libya, where political tensions exist due to the presence of two rival administrations—authorities in the western region have been more accommodating. Compounding the situation is the uncertainty surrounding permissions from Egypt, which designates the area between El Arish and Rafah as a military zone. An anonymous Egyptian activist voiced skepticism, saying, “I doubt they would be allowed to march towards Rafah. It’s always national security first.”
The activists’ approach stems from years of attempting various forms of protest against recurring violence in Gaza. Over time, thousands have demonstrated worldwide against the ongoing conflicts, while humanitarian efforts, including sailing missions to deliver aid, have often met with violent interception by Israeli forces. The most notorious of these instances was in 2010, when nine individuals died after Israeli commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara vessel during its voyage to Gaza. More recent efforts have included the ill-fated Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s attempt to send the Madleen vessel toward Gaza, which ended in seizing by Israeli forces earlier this month.
While the likelihood of actual entry into Gaza remains slim for the Sumud Convoy participants, they express a resolve to persist in their mission. “The message people here want to send to the world is that even if you stop us by sea, or air, then we will come, by the thousands, by land,” Ben Mbarek asserted. Activists express that inaction allows Israel free rein to continue its alleged genocidal campaign against Gaza’s remaining population.
The situation in Gaza has escalated dramatically since the onset of the latest conflict in October 2023. The ongoing aggression has led to widespread famine and deprivation, likely claiming thousands of lives already. Legal experts have characterized Israel’s actions as meeting the criteria for genocide, citing intentional tactics of destruction against a population. The death toll has reached approximately 54,927, with countless others injured, intensifying global outrage as civilian casualties mount, including women, children, and humanitarian workers, provoking rare condemnations from Western governments as the conflict continues to unfold.
To summarize, the Global March to Gaza, spearheaded by the Sumud Convoy, highlights a concerted effort by activists worldwide to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite significant hurdles, participants remain determined to pressure global leaders into action. As the situation deteriorates in Gaza, the importance of their mission becomes even more urgent, underscoring the ongoing crises faced by civilians caught in the conflict.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
