Thousands of civilians from over 35 countries have converged in Cairo, Egypt, to prepare for the Global March to Gaza, a peaceful, citizen-led demonstration set for June 15 at the Rafah border crossing.

The march aims to spotlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where famine, bombardment, and a prolonged Israeli blockade have led to widespread suffering.

Organized by a diverse coalition of students, doctors, clergy, and ordinary citizens, the march is rooted in non-violence and international humanitarian law. Samuel Crettenand, a Swiss organizer, spoke passionately in a June 7 interview with RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse, rejecting claims that the march is provocative. “The provocation is not the march or the flotilla — the provocation is your question,” Crettenand said. “Children are dying of imposed starvation. Pregnant women are losing their babies because they can’t find food. Hospitals are being bombed. This is about survival, justice, and humanity.”

The Global March to Gaza has five core demands: an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing, full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a large-scale reconstruction program, and an end to Israeli colonization in the West Bank.

Organizers emphasize that the march is neither political nor militant, focusing instead on amplifying Palestinian voices and pressuring governments to address what many call war crimes and crimes against humanity. While participants do not intend to force entry into Gaza, their presence at the border aims to draw global media attention and spur international action.

The significant Swiss delegation, representing a nation known for neutrality and commitment to international law, underscores the march’s moral urgency. “This is a response to political inaction,” Crettenand said. “It is an awakening of the global conscience, led by civil society, not governments.”

As Gaza grapples with systemic destruction, mass displacement, and starvation, the Global March to Gaza seeks to galvanize global accountability through peaceful, collective action. Organizers are taking diplomatic and legal steps to ensure a safe and impactful demonstration. (ILKHA)