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Tunisian Convoy Embarks on Perilous Journey to Break Gaza Blockade

In a bold display of solidarity, hundreds of volunteers from Tunisia set out on a land convoy to Gaza on Monday, determined to challenge Israel’s longstanding blockade on the territory. The "Soumoud" convoy, which translates to "steadfastness" in Arabic, aims to bring relief to the besieged residents of Gaza and demonstrate unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.

The convoy, comprising doctors, lawyers, activists, and journalists from across North Africa, is a collaborative effort between several Tunisian organizations, including youth groups. Yahya Shalabi, head of the We Run Nabeul running club, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "This is a noble initiative to raise youth awareness, to say that we are conscious youth and that we deliver our message in a noble way. And may God help our brothers in Gaza."

As the convoy departed from Tunis, its members were acutely aware of the fate of the Madleen aid boat, which was intercepted by Israel on Monday morning. The boat, carrying activists including Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg and Franco-Palestinian European Parliament member Rima Hassan, was attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Saher Al-Masri, representative of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Tunis, drew parallels between the two initiatives, saying, "This Convoy of Steadfastness, like that ship, is a message of challenge and will, and this is what the extremist right-wing government [of Israel] fears."

The convoy plans to traverse Libya and Egypt to reach the Rafah border crossing, although Egyptian authorities have yet to grant authorization for the group’s entry into their territory. Meanwhile, Israel is facing mounting international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, with the global community increasingly concerned about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the territory.

As the Soumoud convoy embarks on its perilous journey, it carries with it the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people, as well as the determination of those who refuse to stand idly by in the face of injustice. With its message of steadfastness and resilience, this convoy is poised to make a lasting impact on the global stage, shedding light on the plight of Gaza’s residents and inspiring a new wave of solidarity and activism.