Global March to Gaza: Activists Challenge Blockade, Draw Attention to Crisis

The Global March to Gaza sees thousands of activists marching to challenge Israel’s blockade. The Sumud Convoy, consisting of around 1,000 individuals, is led by activists from the Coordination of Joint Action for Palestine. They face significant challenges including permissions from Libyan and Egyptian authorities. Despite obstacles, the participants are determined to raise global awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, driven by a sense of urgency and moral obligation.

Thousands of activists from around the world are marching toward the Gaza Strip, aiming to challenge Israel’s severe blockade and draw attention to what many describe as genocide occurring there. A significant part of this initiative, called the Sumud Convoy, consists of about 1,000 people who began their journey from Tunis, Tunisia. On Tuesday morning, they arrived in Libya after a long day of travel but are currently waiting for permission to proceed further into the country.

The activists, largely from the Northwest African region, plan to increase their numbers as they continue their journey towards the Rafah crossing, which separates Egypt and Gaza. The Sumud Convoy is organized by the Coordination of Joint Action for Palestine, affiliated with the Global March for Palestine. Among its supporters are various organizations including Tunisia’s General Labour Union and the Tunisian League for Human Rights.

Following a brief rest in Libya, the convoy is scheduled to continue its journey toward Cairo, Egypt. Ghaya Ben Mbarek, an independent Tunisian journalist who joined the march, expressed her motivation, stating she feels a responsibility to witness and document the ongoing crisis. She emphasized the need to “stand on the right side of history by stopping a genocide and stopping people from dying from hunger.”

The route toward Rafah poses several challenges. Currently, the convoy has not received approval to cross into eastern Libya due to its political divisions. An official within the convoy mentioned that while they have been welcomed in the western part of Libya, negotiations are still ongoing with eastern authorities. Activists also worry about entering Egypt, where the border area is designated as a military zone, complicating their mission significantly.

Throughout the years, supporters of Palestine have attempted various methods to address the suffering in Gaza. With Israel’s war escalating over the past 20 months, protest efforts have included demonstrations in major cities and legal actions against political figures. Humanitarian aid boats have also been launched towards Gaza, often facing interception or violence at the hands of Israeli forces.

Recent history has seen attempts to break the blockade met with severe consequences, such as the deadly 2010 assault on the Mavi Marmara ship by Israeli commandos. More recently, on June 1, a group from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition sought to apply pressure on global governments while attempting to reach Gaza, but were intercepted by Israeli forces just over a week later.

Though the activists acknowledge the challenge of entering Gaza, they are determined to persist. Ben Mbarek articulated their resolve, stating, “even if you stop us by sea, or air, then we will come, by the thousands, by land.” The group intends to make as clear as possible that they will not quietly stand by as the situation deteriorates.

As for the current conditions in Gaza, since the conflict heightened on October 7, 2023, the humanitarian crisis has drastically worsened. The blockade has left Palestinians without adequate food and medical supplies, with the death toll soaring to over 54,927 and many more injured. Experts have described these acts as an intentional strategy by Israel to eliminate the Palestinian population—characterizations that correspond with legal definitions of genocide. As the global outcry amplifies against Israel’s actions, calls for intervention have intensified, although responses from various governments have been muted and slow to materialize.

The Global March to Gaza serves as a significant event highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Activists, filled with determination and courage, are attempting to break Israel’s blockade, drawing international attention to the violence affecting the Palestinian people. Although facing numerous obstacles, including regional authorities and the Egyptian military zone, the participants remain resolute in their mission to demand justice and bring attention to the dire conditions in Gaza.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com