Marching to Gaza: A convergence of conscience by land and sea - War on Gaza
Activists, doctors, students, artists, and unionists from across South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa are gathering for the Global March to Gaza.
Their destination is the Rafah crossing—the last viable access point between Gaza and the outside world. Their mission is urgent.
Since Israel imposed a total blockade on 2 March, Gaza has plunged deeper into a humanitarian crisis. Acute shortages of food, water, and medical supplies have become widespread. Humanitarian agencies report that over 90 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million residents face severe food insecurity. Health systems have collapsed, and the death toll since Israel's war began in October 2023 has surpassed 54,000.
Even at US-Israeli-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution points—critical sites for aid—Israeli forces have reportedly targeted civilians. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that in just eight days, 102 people were killed and 490 were injured while attempting to access food and supplies. Coordinated deliveries in northern Gaza and Rafah have met lethal resistance: drones, artillery, and sniper fire have targeted civilians queuing for basic essentials.
"We are living through a historic moment. What's happening in Gaza is a test of our humanity," said Saif Abukeshek, Palestinian activist and head of the International Coalition Against the Israeli Occupation, which is organising the Global March to Gaza. "Either we stand up for the values we claim to hold or we lose them, perhaps forever."
The march, supported by more than 150 NGOs and participants from 36 countries, will occur between 12 and 20 June. Protesters will gather in Cairo, travel through Sinai to Al-Arish, and attempt to reach the Rafah crossing on foot.
Support for the initiative spans continents. Rights organisations from Toronto, Berlin, and Melbourne have pledged backing, alongside public figures including Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis, Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Mairéad Corrigan-Maguire, comedian Jonathan Randall, author and TV host Marianela Pereyra, and blogger Candice King.
The organising committee mirrors this diversity: Spanish-Canadian activist Manuel Tapial, French physician Dr Catherine Le Scolan-Quéré, Mexican professor Patricia Luevano, Swiss doctor Regula Grabherr-Fawzi, Portuguese advocate Ana Rita, and South African MP Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela.
Their demands are clear: an end to Israel's use of starvation as a war tactic, lifting the 17-year blockade, reopening the Rafah crossing, delivering essential aid, and establishing a sustained humanitarian corridor. They also seek accountability for violations of international law.
"I fear the day my child asks, 'What did you do when you saw the genocide?'" Abukeshek added.
The march's main demonstration is scheduled for 15 June. Participants will stay near the crossing until 20 June, hosting rallies, vigils, and press briefings. "Over 2,000 people have already committed to join us by air, despite every logistical challenge. And the numbers will grow," Abukeshek confirmed.
Dr Huseyin Durmaz of the International Health Initiative noted, "We have made the necessary explanations to the Egyptian authorities. We await permission for this peaceful civil action." Formal approval is still pending.
Parallel movements by land and sea
The Global March is part of a broader mobilisation. In Tunisia, the "Somoud" convoy, backed by football ultras, unions, students, and healthcare workers, has drawn over 7,000 applicants for its 9 June departure.
"I believe the siege can be broken. If this march isn't enough, we march again—and again—until we break through," said Abukeshek.
Another front is opening at sea. On 1 June, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) ship Madleen departed Catania, Sicily, with 12 activists and a cargo of humanitarian aid: flour, baby formula, medical supplies, prosthetics, water purification kits, and sanitary products.
Environmentalists and human rights defenders are on board, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan. Other passengers include Yasemin Acar (Germany), Baptiste Andre (France), Thiago Ávila (Brazil), Omar Faiad (France), Pascal Mauriéras (France), Yanis Mhamdi (France), Suayb Ordu (Türkiye), Sergio Toribio (Spain), Marco van Rennes (Netherlands), and Reva Viard (France).
"Our mission is peaceful. We are unarmed. Everyone on board is trained in nonviolence," the FFC stated.
But the risk is real. On 2 May, the FFC vessel Conscience was attacked by Israeli drones in international waters off Malta. The ship's engine was set ablaze. A decade earlier, Israeli forces raided the FFC's Mavi Marmara, killing 10 activists.
The Israeli military has signalled its readiness to block the Madleen, stating it is "prepared for a range of scenarios" as the vessel nears Gaza. The naval blockade has been in place since 2007 and remains strictly enforced.
Israeli Army Radio quoted military officials reaffirming their position: "We enforce the maritime security blockade on Gaza and are prepared for a range of scenarios."
Amid mounting global scrutiny, UN human rights experts have urged Israel not to interfere, citing international law: vessels in international waters must not be obstructed, and Palestinians have a right to receive aid through their territorial waters.
"Aid is desperately needed to forestall annihilation, and this initiative is a symbolic and powerful effort to deliver it," the experts said in a joint statement.
On 4 June, an Israeli-made Heron drone operated by the Greek Coastguard was seen monitoring the Madleen during its 2,000-kilometre voyage, expected to arrive near Gaza by 7 June, pending safe passage.
Though differing in form, the land and sea efforts share one goal: to challenge the siege on Gaza and prompt international action.
"No matter the odds, we must keep trying. Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity," said Greta Thunberg before boarding the ship.
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
2 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Interior Min. Participates with Citizens in Celebrating Eid al-Adha
Taarek Refaat Police officers from various security directorates joined citizens in celebrating Eid al-Adha, taking to the streets and squares to offer their congratulations and distribute flowers to passersby and motorists. This comes within the framework of the Ministry of Interior's strategy, one of whose main pillars is to activate the societal role of all security sectors and engage citizens in celebrating various occasions. This contributes to deepening the bonds of trust and strengthening the connection between police officers and citizens. The Ministry of Interior held Eid al-Adha prayers at correctional and rehabilitation centers for inmates. The events were attended by a number of Islamic and Christian clerics who joined the celebrations and congratulated the inmates, expressing the solidarity and connection among the Egyptian people. ِAlso, the Community Protection Sector convened committees to review the files of inmates nationwide to determine those eligible for pardon for the remainder of their sentences. The committees concluded that the decision was applicable to 2,215 inmates eligible for pardon. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
How Egypt is managing energy deficit in a sweltering summer? - Energy
As soaring summer temperatures put unprecedented strain on Egypt's power grid, the country grapples with a widening chasm between natural gas production and consumption. With daily output declining and demand surging, particularly for electricity generation, energy security has emerged as a critical national concern. While some reports warn of a looming crisis, new developments suggest Egypt is not passively enduring the pressure. Instead, the government is pursuing a multi-pronged approach: importing liquefied natural gas (LNG), reactivating emergency fuel sources such as mazut, negotiating with key partners like Israel, and accelerating long-term investments in renewable energy and international contracts. Egypt faces an apparent shortfall in its natural gas balance, with daily production dropping to around 4.5 billion cubic feet, against consumption of approximately 6 billion. This discrepancy places the system under increasing strain, particularly during peak summer demand. Speaking to Ahram Online, Gamal Al-Qalyoubi, Professor of Petroleum and Energy Engineering, clarified that 'the actual rate of gas production decline does not exceed 1.7 billion cubic feet per day,' stressing that the frequently cited 3 billion cubic feet gap is 'exaggerated and not an accurate reflection of reality.' Alternative plans to secure supplies To address the shortfall, the government activated an emergency plan that includes bringing in three LNG regasification vessels and a ship docked at Aqaba Port, which will be shared alternately between Egypt and Jordan. However, Medhat Youssef, former Vice President of the Petroleum Authority, believes the crisis is 'not fully resolved yet, as the fourth vessel has not arrived, and one ship has not been operating at full capacity, leading to power outages during the heatwave, particularly in rural areas.' Despite these challenges, the national electricity grid has not collapsed and has largely maintained performance under record loads. Al-Qalyoubi affirms: 'What occurred should not be considered scheduled outages, but rather limited technical failures due to the heatwave,' adding that outages in some areas did not exceed 15 minutes and praising the grid's ability to handle a daily load of 40,000 megawatts. Fuel oil returns—at a cost During periods of peak demand, the government resorts to using fuel oil (mazut) as an alternative for electricity generation. Youssef notes that this policy is not new: Egypt previously earned around $8.5 billion from gas exports by substituting gas with mazut for domestic use, capitalising on the significant price difference ($50 for exported gas versus $16 for imported mazut). Official sources report a temporary halt in gas supplies from Israel, attributed to maintenance at the Leviathan and Tamar fields. However, the implications are broader, touching on market balance and trade agreements. Al-Qalyoubi comments: 'The Egyptian market remains the primary strategic partner for Israeli gas, receiving 800 million cubic feet per day, compared to just 250 million for the Jordanian market. Any talk of price changes is technically illogical, since the contracts are binding.' Youssef, however, believes that 'the agreements may grant Israel some flexibility to renegotiate prices if Egypt increases its demand—a natural occurrence in any market.' Zohr field decline: natural, not technical The sharp decline in production from the Zohr field is a key factor in the current crisis, with output falling from 3.8 to 1.8 billion cubic feet per day. Al-Qalyoubi explains: 'The decline is due to reduced fertility of geological layers—a natural development in any field's lifecycle, not a technical failure.' He pointed to intensified exploration efforts in promising areas such as the Red Sea and the western Mediterranean, with major companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil expected to enter in 2025. Long-term contracts as a strategic hedge In light of global gas market volatility, Egypt has moved toward signing long-term import contracts with countries including Qatar, Russia, and Algeria. These agreements offer greater security in supply and pricing. Al-Qalyoubi states: 'For the first time, Egypt is adopting this type of contract, which is a highly important step that spares us from emergency tenders and negotiating under pressure.' He adds that flexible financing mechanisms are in place to reduce strain on the national budget. Youssef commends this approach: 'Major countries like China and Japan follow the same model. Extended contracts protect against price fluctuations and enhance market stability.' Despite the advantages, the state faces real challenges securing liquidity to fund imports, particularly amid rising global interest rates. Youssef reveals: 'The government is currently deferring payment for some shipments. This provides temporary flexibility but increases financial burdens in the long term.' Renewables: a long-term hope Egypt plans to expand its renewable energy portfolio, focusing particularly on wind and solar, to reduce its reliance on natural gas for electricity. Al-Qalyoubi affirms: 'The goal is to produce 28,000 megawatts from wind and 11,000 from solar within four years, reserving gas for industrial use instead of burning it for power generation.' Youssef, however, remains cautious: 'Renewables currently account for no more than 10 percent of our needs, while gas covers roughly 90 percent of the power mix. Even after nuclear plants come online, gas will remain the primary source for years to come.' Transitional strain, not total crisis Despite the pressure of summer demand and declining production, both experts agree that Egypt is not on the brink of collapse, but is navigating a transitional phase requiring swift exploration, expanded contracts, and precise demand management. 'We are not living through a sudden energy crisis, but a transitional period being managed with realistic plans,' concludes Al-Qalyoubi. Youssef adds: 'Energy security can only be achieved through a mix of production, imports, and smart financial hedging.' Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Eid begins in Gaza with outdoor prayers amongst ruins and food growing ever scarcer - War on Gaza
Palestinians across the war-ravaged Gaza Strip marked the start of one of Islam's most important holidays with prayers outside destroyed mosques and homes early Friday, with little hope the Israeli genocidal war will end soon. With much of Gaza in rubble, men and children were forced to hold the traditional Eid al-Adha prayers in the open air and with food supplies dwindling, families were having to make do with what they could scrape together for the three-day feast. 'This is the worst feast that the Palestinian people have experienced because of the unjust war against the Palestinian people,' said Kamel Emran after attending prayers in the southern city of Khan Younis. 'There is no food, no flour, no shelter, no mosques, no homes, no mattresses ... The conditions are very, very harsh.' The holiday begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during the Hajj season in Saudi Arabia. For the second year, Muslims in Gaza were not able to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the traditional pilgrimage. Since the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza started on October 2023, the occupation army has killed more than 54,600 Palestinians, most of them women and children, with over 125,500 others injured, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli brutal war has destroyed large parts of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of roughly 2 million Palestinians. After blocking all food and aid from entering Gaza for more than two months, Israel began allowing a trickle of supplies to enter for the UN several weeks ago. But the UN says it has been unable to distribute much of the aid because of Israeli army restrictions on movements and because roads that the military designates for its trucks to use are unsafe and vulnerable to looters. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome said Thursday that Gaza's people are projected to fall into acute food insecurity by September, with nearly 500,000 people experiencing extreme food deprivation, leading to malnutrition and starvation. 'This means the risk of famine is really touching the whole of the Gaza Strip,' Rein Paulson, director of the FAO office of emergencies and resilience, said in an interview. The UN says that the number of Gaza children facing acute malnutrition has soared since February, with more than 2,700 now suffering from it. Over the past two weeks, shootings have erupted nearly daily in the Gaza Strip in the vicinity of new hubs where desperate Palestinians are being directed to collect food. Witnesses say nearby Israeli troops have opened fire, killing more than 80 people. The US so-called Humanitarian Foundation, a newly formed group of mainly American contractors that Israel wants to use to replace humanitarian groups in Gaza that distribute aid in coordination with the UN, said Friday that all its distribution centers were closed for the day due to the ongoing Israeli violence. It urged people to stay away for their own safety, and said it would make an announcement later as to when they would resume distributing humanitarian aid. * This story was edited by Ahram Online. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
