Even as the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s Madleen was seized by Israel and the activists on board kidnapped, thousands of people from different parts of the world are travelling to the Rafah Border via Egypt’s Cairo in a Global March to Gaza.
A Tunisia-based convoy will leave on June 9 via road for Egypt, where they will march from Cairo.
“We are in full preparation mode. From Tunisia alone, more than 7000 people have registered so far, but the ones who have confirmed are 2500 for now, and we expect to be over 10,000 participants from different countries by the time we reach Rafah. This is a mass, peaceful mobilisation unlike anything we have seen in years,” Pal.actions Tunisia founder Tibs told Maktoob.
The Joint Action Coordination for Palestine in Tunisia announced that the Maghreb Resilience Convoy to Break the Siege on Gaza will depart from Tunis, as well as from the cities of Sousse, Sfax, and Gabes, heading south to Ben Guerdane and then onwards through Libya and Egypt to reach Gaza.
“The convoy will express solidarity with the Palestinian people under siege and deliver humanitarian aid to them,” the coordination group said in a statement.
Tibs said that they will be travelling by car in convoy, starting from Tunisia on June 9, crossing into Libya, reaching Cairo by June 13, and then heading to Arish and Rafah. The route was coordinated based on feasibility, safety, and existing regional connections with movements like Global March to Gaza and Freedom Flotilla Coalition,” he added.
“The unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, especially during this ongoing genocide, pushed us to act. Watching in silence was no longer an option. This is our moral duty — as Muslims, as Tunisians, as Arabs, as humans. Because silence is complicity. The world cannot remain passive while a whole population is being starved, bombed, and suffocated. This march is a cry for justice, unity, and human dignity,” he added.
Calling it historical, Tibs said it is for the “first time in years, people from more than 52 countries are coordinating together for one goal: breaking the siege and showing up for Gaza. It proves that Palestine unites the world beyond politics.”
Speaking of the risks, Tibs said everyone joining knows of the risks, especially considering how Israel has the history of targeting peace protests. “We are fully aware of the risks. But this is a peaceful, unarmed, civilian convoy. If the Israeli occupation attacks peaceful people again, it will only further expose its crimes to the world. We are not afraid. Our blood is not more valuable than our people in Gaza,” he added.
The initiative is civilian-led. On asking whether Tunisia and other governments are supporting the convoy.
“The government has not obstructed us, but this is a movement by the people for Palestine,” he added.
This is probably the first such global march taking place to break the siege in Gaza. For many who are joining in hardships lie ahead, but as Tibs said, this is history in the making.
“We expect hardship, fatigue, and challenges, but above all, we expect history to be made. The unity and commitment we are witnessing are already a victory for Palestine and the spirit of resistance. Our brothers and sisters in Gaza are heroes, but knowing that thousands are marching toward them in solidarity can uplift spirits and remind them they are not alone. It’s a signal to the world: Gaza lives in us,” he added.
According to Tibs, global silence is no longer an option.
A small convoy from India is also expected to join the global march to Gaza. Speaking to Maktoob, Sana Syed, a resident of Mumbai, who is helping coordinate and organise the delegation from India, called it an important step towards humanity.
“When October 7 happened, there was so much misconception and chaos in the world at the time that people questioned the authenticity of the day. However, with time, it became clear that Israel is committing genocide on innocent civilians. I am a mother myself and have cried over this. The inaction has been for so long. We have seen children in pieces live on our screens, and I have seen children’s limbs being amputated without anaesthesia. I cannot believe we are living in the same world where IPL is happening and children are dying,” she said.
However, despite many people showing enthusiasm to be a part of the delegation, fear due to the Indian government’s crackdown on Palestine solidarity protests and open solidarity to Israel has raised security concerns.
“There are many concerns. People who wanted to go later asked whether they could show solidarity in states and cities without the government cracking down on us. This is also a fear. So many times, people who have tried to protest have been chased down. People like Umar Khalid are still rotting in jail for protesting against the Citizenship Bill. All of these things, despite you being brave, give people concern,” she added.
Despite that, many people have come forward to join the delegation from India. The delegation is expected to reach Cairo by June 12 and join others there.
