A massive land convoy comprising more than 1,500 pro-Palestinian activists has crossed into Libya from Algeria and Tunisia as part of a growing regional effort to challenge Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The group, made up of citizens, civil society members, and solidarity organizations, is aiming to reach the besieged territory via Egypt’s Rafah Crossing.
The convoy, traveling in dozens of buses and private vehicles, reached Zawiya, a coastal city in western Libya, on Tuesday. Their route has already taken them through the North African capitals of Algiers and Tunis before crossing through key Libyan cities including Tripoli, Misrata, Sirte, and Benghazi. Organizers say the convoy plans to arrive at the Egyptian border at the Saloum Crossing, then proceed to Cairo before making its final push toward the Rafah Crossing with Gaza.
The initiative, dubbed a “land march for humanitarian access,” comes amid growing international outrage over Israel’s continued blockade of aid into Gaza. With over two million people trapped in the territory and aid supplies at critically low levels, humanitarian experts are warning that famine is imminent unless the siege is lifted and relief supplies are allowed to flow freely.
“We are witnessing a catastrophic humanitarian disaster,” said convoy participant Zayed al-Hamami. “Our presence is not just symbolic—it’s a direct call for international conscience. The crossings must be opened, and aid must be allowed into Gaza immediately.”
Convoy members say their mission is peaceful and humanitarian in nature. They carry food, medical supplies, and basic necessities intended for civilians in Gaza who have been under siege since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.
“Our goal is to break the silence and challenge the political paralysis surrounding the Gaza crisis,” said Algerian activist Jamila Sharitah, one of the convoy’s spokespeople. “The governments of Tunisia and Libya have been cooperative, and we are grateful for the support received so far on this journey.”
The convoy has gained increasing attention across North Africa, with more participants expected to join once it reaches Egypt. Grassroots groups, NGOs, and student unions across the region have rallied behind the movement, describing it as a “moral imperative to act where diplomacy has failed.”
Organizers of the journey, including prominent activist Terkiya Shayibi, emphasized the determination of the participants to reach Gaza despite the risks involved. “There are land, sea, and air convoys mobilizing in solidarity with Gaza,” Shayibi said. “We are fully aware of the dangers, but intimidation and violent responses will not deter us. Our mission is humanitarian and we will not be silenced.”
The movement comes just days after another high-profile attempt to deliver aid to Gaza was thwarted by Israeli forces. On Monday, Israeli naval forces intercepted and seized a boat carrying humanitarian supplies and several activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The boat was reportedly attempting to deliver emergency aid to Gaza by sea—a route that has also been heavily restricted by Israeli forces.
Thunberg and other international activists were detained and subsequently deported on Tuesday. Their capture has drawn global attention to the restrictions surrounding humanitarian access to Gaza and further fueled criticism of Israel’s handling of the war and its consequences for civilians.
The conflict has been described by rights groups and analysts as one of the most devastating in modern history, with thousands of casualties and widespread destruction. Entire neighborhoods in Gaza have been reduced to rubble, and basic services like healthcare, electricity, and water have collapsed.
International aid agencies, including the UN and the World Food Programme, have warned that Gaza’s population is at immediate risk of mass starvation. With over 70% of the territory’s population displaced and many relying entirely on external aid, the need for sustained humanitarian corridors is growing more urgent by the day.
“The blockade must end,” said a representative of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), speaking on condition of anonymity. “People are dying not just from bombs, but from hunger and untreated wounds. Without access, we can’t do our jobs.”
While Israel maintains that its blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas militants, critics argue that the policy amounts to collective punishment of an already suffering civilian population. Human rights organizations have called on world leaders to intervene and pressure the Israeli government to open all crossings for humanitarian aid.
Egypt’s Rafah Crossing remains the primary lifeline for humanitarian shipments, but access is tightly controlled and subject to political and security negotiations. Convoy organizers are hoping their presence at Rafah will galvanize public opinion and prompt Egyptian authorities to facilitate greater aid flow.
As the convoy continues its journey across the Libyan-Egyptian border, organizers are planning press conferences and public rallies in Cairo to build momentum ahead of the final stretch to Rafah.
“Our movement is about hope, solidarity, and justice,” said Shayibi. “We will keep moving until Gaza receives the aid it desperately needs.”
The convoy’s arrival at the Rafah Crossing in the coming days is expected to be a major test of international resolve and humanitarian diplomacy. With lives hanging in the balance and aid stalled at the borders, the pressure is now on regional powers and the global community to act.
