A convoy carrying hundreds of activists has crossed into Libya, having journeyed from Algeria and passed through Tunisia, as part of an effort to challenge Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The convoy is composed of a significant number of people, estimated to include at least 1,500 activists and supporters from Algeria and Tunisia, with additional participation expected from groups in Libya.
The group, which aims to reach Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah Crossing, has already reached the city of Zawiya in Libya as of Tuesday. Their route took them through several Libyan cities, including Tripoli, Misrata, Sirte, and Benghazi, and they are currently making their way towards the Saloum Crossing at the Egypt-Libya border. Their plan includes traveling by cars and buses to Cairo before heading to the Rafah Crossing.
Jamila Sharitah, one of the activists from Algeria, noted that both Tunisian and Libyan authorities have provided support and cooperation to assist the convoy’s passage through their territories. Another activist, Zayed al-Hamami, emphasized the convoy’s mission to advocate for the reopening of border crossings and the facilitation of aid into Gaza.
In the words of Terkiya Shayibi, the convoy organizer, multiple convoys by land, sea, and air are destined for Gaza despite existing restrictions. Shayibi stated that they are committed to their mission and will not be intimidated by potential aggressive actions directed towards them.
This comes in the wake of Israel’s military seizing a Gaza-bound aid boat, which included well-known activist Greta Thunberg among its passengers. This action, aligned with Israel’s reinforcement of a comprehensive blockade amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas, led to Thunberg being deported the following day.
Activists on the boat initiated their journey to oppose Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have been described as highly destructive and particularly deadly since World War II, and to object against the severe impediments to humanitarian aid. Experts have cautioned about the risk of famine for the population of over 2 million people in Gaza unless relief is allowed to enter and military confrontations subside.
As of Wednesday night, it remained uncertain whether the convoy members secured passage into Egypt. However, the Egyptian foreign ministry issued a statement indicating that foreign delegations must secure prior authorization before approaching the Gaza-adjacent border region, specifically referring to Arish and the Rafah border crossing.
These regulations prescribe the need for obtaining the necessary visas or permits through Egyptian embassies or relevant foreign embassies in Cairo, alongside submitting formal requests to the Egyptian foreign ministry. “Egypt reaffirms that no requests or invitations will be taken into consideration if they do not conform with the established regulatory framework and prescribed protocol on this issue,” the statement concluded.