Tunisian-led aid bus convoy departs for Gaza
Tunisian-led aid bus convoy departs for Gaza
Around 1,500 participants of the so-called Resilience Convoy depart from Tunis on Monday. Photo: AFP
Jamie Clarke reports
A humanitarian convoy named Soumoud, meaning "steadfastness" in Arabic, departed from the Tunisian capital Tunis on Monday, with a goal to challenge the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, according to the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP).
Organised by the Coordination of Joint Action for Palestine in Tunisia, the land convoy brings together approximately 1,500 Tunisians and 200 Algerians, united in a call for global solidarity with the Palestinian people.
"This is primarily a land-based convoy, mobilising all available resources to transport stockpiled humanitarian aid to Rafah," said Jaouaher Chamma, a member of the organising committee.
Algerian, Mauritania, Moroccan and Libyan activists were also among the group, Chamma noted.
The convoy is expected to pass through several Tunisian regions before entering Libya, where it will continue its journey in coordination with local NGOs.
From there, it will head to the Saloum border crossing in eastern Libya and on into Egyptian territory, with the goal of reaching the Rafah crossing into Gaza.
"This initiative aimed to send a message to all free people of the world to stand against occupation and genocide," TAP quoted convoy spokesperson Wael Naouar as saying.
"Breaking the blockade is not just about delivering aid," Naouar said. "It's also about evacuating the wounded so they can receive medical treatment outside the occupied territories."
The convoy's journey comes amid growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where access to essential supplies and medical care remains severely restricted due to the ongoing conflict and blockade. (Xinhua)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
12 hours ago
- RTHK
Vice premier He calls for equal dialogue with US
Vice premier He calls for equal dialogue with US At the London trade talks are, from left, Jamieson Greer, Howard Lutnick, Scott Bessent, He Lifeng, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and Chinese International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang. Photo: AFP The United States should resolve trade disputes with China through equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, Vice Premier He Lifeng said. China reiterates that the United States should work with China to honour their words with actions and demonstrate sincerity in keeping commitments and concrete efforts to implement consensus so as to jointly safeguard the hard-won outcomes of dialogue, He said. The vice premier made the remarks during the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism held in London on Monday and Tuesday with the US delegation led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. During the talks, the two sides held candid and in-depth talks and thoroughly exchanged views on economic and trade issues of mutual concern. The two sides reached a principled agreement on implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone call on June 5 and the framework of measures to consolidate the outcomes of the economic and trade talks in Geneva, and made new progress in addressing each other's economic and trade concerns. Calling the meeting an important consultation held under the guidance of the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state on June 5, He said China's position on Sino-US economic and trade issues is clear and consistent. Noting that the essence of Sino-US economic and trade relations lies in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, he said cooperation in the economic and trade field benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. There are no winners in trade wars, he said, adding that China does not seek conflict but will not be intimidated by one. The vice premier urged the United States to resolve trade disputes with China through equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, adding that while China is sincere in pursuing economic and trade consultations, it also has its principles. Next, the two sides should, in accordance with the important consensus and requirements reached by the two heads of state during their phone call, make better use of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism and work to enhance their consensus, reduce misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation, He said. The two sides should maintain communication and consultation and promote the steady and sustained growth of Sino-US economic and trade relations so as to inject more certainty and stability into the world economy, He added. The US side said that the meeting had achieved positive outcomes and further stabilized bilateral economic and trade relations, adding that it would walk in the same direction as China in accordance with the requirements of the phone call between the two heads of state to jointly implement the consensus reached at this meeting. (Xinhua)
HKFP
15 hours ago
- HKFP
US, China agree on trade ‘framework' after high-level talks in London
Top officials from the United States and China said Tuesday that they had agreed on a 'framework' to move forward on trade, following two days of high-level talks in London to resolve tensions. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed optimism after a full day of negotiations that concerns surrounding rare earth minerals and magnets 'will be resolved' eventually, as the deal is implemented. But this framework will first need to be approved by leaders in Washington and Beijing, officials said, at the end of meetings at the British capital's historic Lancaster House. All eyes were on the outcomes of negotiations as both sides tried to overcome an impasse over export restrictions. US officials earlier accused Beijing of slow-walking approvals for shipments of rare earths. The world's two biggest economies were also seeking a longer-lasting truce in their escalating tariffs war, with levies currently only temporarily on hold. 'We're moving as quickly as we can,' US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters. 'We would very much like to find an agreement that makes sense for both countries,' he added, noting that the relationship was complex. 'We feel positive about engaging with the Chinese,' he maintained. Speaking separately to reporters, China International Trade Representative Li Chenggang said: 'Our communication has been very professional, rational, in-depth and candid.' Li expressed hope that progress made in London would help to boost trust on both sides. Productive talks US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier described the closely watched trade talks as productive, although scheduling conflicts prompted his departure from London with negotiations still ongoing. Bessent, who led the US delegation with Lutnick and Greer, left early to return to Washington for testimony before Congress, a US official told AFP. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng headed his country's team in London, which included Li and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. Both sides do not yet have another gathering scheduled. But Lutnick said Tuesday that US measures imposed when rare earths 'were not coming' would likely be relaxed once Beijing moved forward with more license approvals. Global stock markets were on edge, but Wall Street's major indexes climbed on hopes for progress earlier Tuesday. The London negotiations follow talks in Geneva last month, which saw a temporary agreement to lower tariffs. This time, China's exports of rare earth minerals — used in a range of things including smartphones, electric vehicle batteries and green technology — were a key issue on the agenda. 'In Geneva, we had agreed to lower tariffs on them, and they had agreed to release the magnets and rare earths that we need throughout the economy,' US President Donald Trump's top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, told CNBC on Monday. Even though Beijing was releasing some supplies, 'it was going a lot slower than some companies believed was optimal', he added. 'Mirror arsenal' Both countries 'have developed almost a mirror arsenal of trade and investment weapons that they can aim at each other,' said Emily Benson, head of strategy at Minerva Technology Futures. As they tap economic tools to try and shift global power structures, she told AFP, it may not be reasonable to expect a typical trade and investment deal. But both sides could find ways to level off a downward spiral. A dialing-down of temperatures could involve Chinese efforts to shore up the process for granting export control licenses, Benson said. She noted Beijing appeared understaffed given the volume of requests. On the US side, this could look like a relaxation of certain export curbs in the high-tech domain, she added. But observers remained cautious, with Thomas Mathews of Capital Economics warning that Washington was unlikely to 'back off completely.' This could weigh on markets. Since returning to office, Trump has slapped a 10 percent levy on friend and foe, threatening steeper rates on dozens of economies. His tariffs have dented trade, with Beijing data showing Chinese exports to the United States plunged in May. The World Bank on Tuesday joined other international organizations to slash its 2025 global growth forecast amid trade uncertainty. China is also in talks with partners including Japan and South Korea to try to build a united front countering Trump's tariffs.
RTHK
21 hours ago
- RTHK
China, US agree on trade framework after talks
China, US agree on trade framework after talks Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent pose for photos on Monday during trade discussions in London. Photo: AFP Top officials from China and the United States said on Tuesday that they had agreed on a framework to move forward on trade, following two days of high-level talks in London. Speaking to reporters, China's international trade representative and vice minister of commerce, Li Chenggang said: "Our communication has been very professional, rational, in-depth and candid." "The two sides have, in principle, reached a framework for implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state during the phone call on June 5th and the consensus reached at the Geneva meeting," Li told reporters. Li expressed hope that progress made in London would help boost trust on both sides. He was speaking following the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism held in London. Vice Premier He Lifeng headed his country's team in London, which included Li and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. Both sides do not yet have another gathering scheduled. In a separate briefing, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters that the framework puts "meat on the bones" of a deal reached last month in Geneva. "We have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and the call between the two presidents," Lutnick said. "The idea is we're going to go back and speak to President Trump and make sure he approves it. They're going to go back and speak to President Xi and make sure he approves it, and if that is approved, we will then implement the framework." US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who led the US delegation with Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, left early to return to Washington for testimony before Congress. China is also in talks with partners including Japan and South Korea to try to build a united front countering US President Donald Trump's tariffs. (Agencies)
