The Maghreb "Resilience Convoy" (Sumud) continued its overland journey toward the besieged Gaza Strip this week, with hundreds of activists from Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya making their way across North Africa to demand an end to Israel’s brutal blockade.

The convoy, which began its mission from Tunis on Monday, entered Libya via Ben Guerdane and reached the city of al-Zawiya on Tuesday, marking the start of its second phase. Organizers confirmed the convoy will travel across Libya and into Egypt, aiming to reach the Rafah border crossing with Gaza by Sunday.

Dr. Mohammed Amin Balnour, the convoy’s medical coordinator, reported strong morale among the participants, describing the reception in Libya as "exceptional." Crowds lined the streets to welcome the convoy, while Libyan security personnel gave the delegation an official salute. Libyan communities provided essential support, including food, water, and medical supplies.

“The health condition of the convoy members is stable,” said Dr. Balnour. “Only minor cases of travel fatigue have been reported, and one patient was returned to Tunisia for precautionary reasons.”

The convoy consists of 1,700 activists, including approximately 1,500 Tunisians and 200 Algerians, traveling in nine buses and over 100 private vehicles, with more participants expected to join along the route. Libyan civil society groups are actively contributing vehicles and logistical support to the growing caravan.

Although the convoy is not carrying physical aid, organizers stress the symbolic weight of the mission. Their presence serves as a bold challenge to the Israeli-imposed blockade and a demand for justice in Gaza, which has been described by the United Nations as the "hungriest place on earth."

“This is not a provocation — it is a cry of conscience from the peoples of the Maghreb,” said one convoy participant. “We cannot remain silent while Gaza is starved, bombed, and isolated.”

The "Sumud" convoy is part of a broader international civil society initiative, coordinated with the Global March to Gaza, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and Joint Action Coordination for Palestine — involving activists from over 30 countries.

The convoy’s mission comes just days after Israeli forces intercepted the humanitarian ship "Madeleine", which was carrying 12 international peace activists bound for Gaza. That interception drew condemnation from rights groups and further exposed Israel’s continued attempts to isolate the Palestinian population from global solidarity efforts.

While Israel has allowed minimal aid to trickle into Gaza following a nearly three-month complete land blockade, the limited relief has been funneled through the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — a body supported by Israel and the United States but rejected by the UN and criticized for its lack of neutrality and failure to deliver adequate aid.

The Maghreb convoy stands as a grassroots-driven response to international inaction, asserting the right of Palestinians to dignity, freedom, and survival. As the convoy nears its final destination, eyes around the world turn to Rafah — the last remaining window to Gaza — where civil resistance meets a humanitarian crisis in urgent need of global accountability. (ILKHA)