Activists rally around the Soumoud Convoy bus during the Global March to Gaza. Photo: @globalmarchgaza/X
Thousands of activists from around the world are marching towards the Gaza Strip in a peaceful show of solidarity, demanding an end to genocide and the humanitarian blockade imposed amid Israel’s ongoing war on the besieged enclave since October 7, 2023.
This initiative, known as the Global March to Gaza, will take place from Friday, June 13 to Friday, June 20. The main march is expected to begin on Sunday, June 15, with participants from more than 80 countries planning to walk from El Arish to the Rafah border crossing. Many have arrived in Egypt via flights and organised buses. Notably, healthcare professionals from 54 nations are also taking part.
Since the war began, nearly 55,000 Palestinians have died—most of them women and children.
In March 2025, Israel closed all border crossings, stopping most humanitarian aid. Now, aid agencies warn that a famine could spread across Gaza, where 2.4 million people live.
The United Nations has described Gaza as “the hungriest place on Earth.”
One group of marchers started in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, June 12. They are taking buses to El Arish, and then walking about 50 kilometres to the Rafah border, the only crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
Another group, known as the Soumoud Convoy – meaning steadfastness in Arabic – set off from Tunis on Monday, June 9, travelling in buses and cars across North Africa to join the march in Egypt.
According to Reuters and AFP, some international participants were barred from continuing their journey. Reports indicate that 73 individuals were deported to Istanbul, while over 100 others were detained at the airport. Around 200 more were questioned or stopped at hotels in Cairo.
On June 9, the ship Madleen attempted to reach Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. Among those on board were Greta Thunberg, Rima Hassan, and Omar Faiad.
However, the vessel was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters before reaching its destination.
This post was last modified on June 13, 2025 5:14 pm