Monday, 25 May 2026
Gaza-bound activist caravan enters Libya from Tunisia
BEN GUERDANE, Tunisia: Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists participating in a convoy have crossed from Tunisia into Libya, organizers announced Tuesday. Their mission: to continue eastward in an effort to challenge Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory.
This development follows Israel’s interception of an aid vessel attempting to break the Gaza blockade, a ship carrying 12 passengers, including activist Greta Thunberg and Franco-Palestinian European parliamentarian Rima Hassan, according to AFP.
The caravan, named “Soumoud”—meaning “steadfastness” in Arabic—departed Tunis Monday morning, convoy spokesperson Ghassen Henchiri told Mosaique FM, a Tunisian radio outlet.
Comprising 14 buses and about 100 supporting vehicles, the convoy is transporting several hundred participants.
Videos shared on the organizing group’s official Facebook page captured members chanting slogans such as “Resistance, resistance” and “To Gaza we go by the millions.”
Speaking also to Jawhara FM, Henchiri said the convoy intends to stay in Libya for “three or four days at most” before attempting to cross into Egypt and head towards Rafah.
Organizers clarified that the convoy is not bringing physical aid into Gaza. Instead, their goal is to stage a “symbolic act” by breaking a blockade the United Nations has labeled, “the hungriest place on Earth.”
Joining the movement are activists from Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, and Libya, who plan to make their way along the Libyan coastline.
After 21 months of conflict, Israel is under increasing international pressure to allow greater humanitarian aid into Gaza, where shortages of food and essential supplies are widespread.
Meanwhile, the Madleen aid boat, which left Italy for Gaza on June 1, was intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday and towed to the Ashdod port.
The 12 passengers were subsequently taken to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, according to the foreign ministry, which stated that Thunberg had been deported.
Additionally, five French activists were detained after refusing to leave Israel voluntarily.