Tunis/Cairo/Rafah, June 12 2025 — An impressive humanitarian convoy led by North African activists is slowly making its way towards Rafah crossing in Gaza in an attempt to break through Israel’s siege of Gaza. Dubbed Sumud (“steadfastness”) Convoy, it started its journey from Tunisia on June 9 and now stands on its way through Libya before reaching Egypt and then Gaza en route from Morocco en route for Tunis.
The Convoy’s Route and Composition
Starting as an initial group of approximately 1000 buses and private vehicles, the convoy comprises activists, lawyers, medical professionals and civil society participants from Tunisia, Algeria, Libya Mauritania Morocco (inclusive).
Sources include aa.com.tr +15; en.wikipedia org +15 and apnews.com +15
En route through Libya, the convoy visited Tripoli, Misrata, Sirte, and Zawiya with over 1,500 participants joining from all across North Africa – middleeasteye.net +3, AP News +3 and WashingtonPost+3 all of whom provide news reports.
After leaving Libya, the convoy will travel through Cairo and into Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula before marching toward Rafah border crossing with Gaza – one that has largely remained closed since Israeli forces took control of that side in May 2024. WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW to learn more. This demonstration serves several objectives and symbolic representations: it aims to raise awareness among Egyptians regarding Israel-Palestine conflict & reconciliation issues through public awareness.
Mission goals of the humanitarian aid mission to Gaza include both humanitarian assistance and raising international awareness of its situation (APNews.com +8 MiddleEastEye +8, En.Wikipedia).
Organisers include the Tunisian General Labor Union, National Bar Association, and rights groups who are all aligned with larger campaigns like Global March to Gaza which involves activists from over 50 nations (apnews.com +13; Commondreams +13 and Aljazeera +13).
Vigilantly nonviolent, the convoy represents an act of symbolic solidarity; even if blocked or stopped at some point by authorities, organizer Tassim Shayibi believes “even that will send a message”.
See: Commondreams.org and APN News’ coverage respectively +1 for more.
Obstacles & Official Responses
The Egyptian government has stated that prior approval is required for any foreign delegation crossing into Rafah border zone–a military area–causing uncertainty for its convoy’s ability to proceed, according to news outlets like AAP News, APN News, The Guardian or even TGP News (via local journalists) when transiting it. [AAP.com.tr and APN News are reporting similar uncertainty]. For further updates visit [AA.com.tr, APN News] and The Guardian [link].
Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered security forces to block an entry convoy into Gaza, labelling its participants “jihadist protesters” and asking Egypt to block their passage (fdd.org/ +8 | Aa/com.tr | The Guardian/+8)
Regional and International Significance
This convoy highlights North African grassroots activism, traveling thousands of kilometers to protest Gaza’s siege and pressurize governments into taking action (sources include en.wikipedia.org/wikipedia:Gazasiege and middleeasteye.net/ middleeasteyenet/7 (at middleeasteye.net & aljazeera.com +7) (source).
This comes on top of maritime efforts like those carried out on the Madleen flota that was intercepted by Israeli forces earlier this month and which included notable figures such as Greta Thunberg. She can be found at: Apnews.com ; The Guardian ; Wikipedia.org, or you could join any one of their Facebook pages (Apnews / The Guardian and Wikipedia are good sources)
Analysts warn of imminent famine in Gaza, impacting over two million people unless border restrictions ease, signaling yet another humanitarian emergency. But where should one focus their efforts? APNews provides key indicators on what needs to happen next in Gaza: “Want To Know More? Below Are Our Next Steps
Egypt is expected to make their decision regarding the convoy or Global March travelling through Sinai within days.
Potential standoff at Rafah: Will Israeli Defense Force blockades escalate into confrontations?
International diplomatic responses came mainly from Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt as well as international humanitarian bodies.
Aid deliveries make an impactful statement–whether the convoy reaches Gaza, traverses UN-led corridors, or remains symbolic.
As the Sumud Convoy nears its destination, its journey symbolizes both solidarity with Gaza’s struggling civilians and regional civil society’s increasing determination to challenge geopolitical obstacles. Whether or not its actions succeed in breaking through the blockade, their impact could alter narratives about humanitarian access and global diplomatic pressure in one of history’s longest running crises.