Algerian-led humanitarian convoy departs for Gaza to break 'Israeli' siege
A major solidarity convoy named 'The First Convoy of Steadfastness' set off Sunday morning from Algiers toward the besieged Gaza Strip, as part of the 'Algerian Initiative to Support Palestine and Aid Gaza.'
The convoy includes over 200 activists and supporters, including Algerian parliamentarians and diplomats, reflecting both popular and official support for the Palestinian cause. The mission aims to break the ongoing 'Israeli' siege on Gaza and demand an end to the months-long bombardment that has caused an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
The convoy departed from the headquarters of the 'Generation of Balance Academy' and is led by Sheikh Yahya Sari, a member of the Algerian Association of Muslim Scholars. It will first head to Tunisia to join a Tunisian convoy, before continuing through Libya and Egypt to reach the Rafah border crossing.
'This is a message to the people of Gaza: You are not alone,' Sheikh Sari said in a Facebook post. 'We share your pain, and this is a form of public pressure against the occupier in the face of international failure to stop the massacres.'
Political and Humanitarian Message
The convoy represents more than a humanitarian gesture. Organizers say it is also a political and moral message against Israeli Occupation's blockade of Gaza, which has led to severe shortages in food and medicine, and the destruction of infrastructure.
Wael Nouar, the convoy's spokesperson, said the broader initiative involves more than 7,000 participants from across the Maghreb - Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, and Mauritania - and aims to pressure for the opening of the Rafah crossing and delivery of aid currently stockpiled in Egypt's Al-Arish.
Facing Challenges
The convoy is expected to face complex logistical and political challenges, especially given Israeli Occupation's control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing and coordination hurdles with Egyptian authorities. Organizers said the convoy would remain at the border for 2–5 days in an attempt to gain entry, with coordination support from international bodies such as the Global March to Gaza and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
Some reports warn that 'Israel' may attempt to use the convoy to promote a misleading narrative about "open humanitarian corridors," despite restricting real access to aid.
Maghreb and Global Solidarity
The convoy is part of a broader wave of international support, with delegations from 42 countries—by land, air, and sea—joining the movement. Salahuddin Al-Masri, a Tunisian organizer, said the initiative reflects the 'will of the people of the Maghreb to stand with Palestine.'
This comes amid dire warnings from the UN and humanitarian organizations that famine is threatening over two million Palestinians in Gaza. UNICEF reports that 92% of children under two and breastfeeding mothers suffer from severe malnutrition.
Cry for Help Amid Catastrophe
The convoy comes at a time when Gaza is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis; ongoing bombardment, mass displacement, and acute shortages of basic necessities.
Since March 2025, Israeli Occupation has reportedly blocked aid entry, intensifying the suffering of civilians, particularly children, who are described by UNICEF as 'going to bed starving.'
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