A large land convoy departed Tunisia on Monday with the goal of reaching Gaza and challenging Israel’s blockade, in a new grassroots solidarity mission inspired by the recent interception of an aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg.

Civil Society-Led Convoy Embarks from Tunis

The Soumoud convoy, meaning steadfastness in Arabic, is organized by a coalition of Tunisian youth movements, civil society groups, and regional supporters. It includes doctors, lawyers, journalists, and activists from across North Africa, united by a shared goal to bring humanitarian relief and political pressure.

“This is a noble initiative to raise youth awareness. May God help our brothers in Gaza.”

Yahya Shalabi of the We Run Nabeul club

The convoy’s planned route passes through Libya and Egypt, ultimately aiming to reach the Rafah border crossing—Gaza’s only non-Israeli controlled entry point.

A Direct Response to Gaza Aid Boat Seizure

Organizers said the convoy’s urgency was heightened by the Israeli navy’s recent seizure of the Madleen aid boat, which carried minimal supplies but high-profile passengers including Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan. Israel diverted the boat to Ashdod, and its passengers were later detained pending deportation.

“The Convoy of Steadfastness, like that ship, is a message of challenge and will, and this is what the extremist right-wing government fears,” said Saher Al-Masri, a representative of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Tunis.

Awaiting Egyptian Authorization

As of Tuesday morning, Egyptian authorities had not yet granted the convoy permission to enter through Rafah. Despite this, organizers say they will wait at the crossing if needed and call on international support to pressure Cairo to open the route.

Meanwhile, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese demanded Israel release the Madleen crew, citing their seizure in international waters as a violation of maritime law.