Tunisian convoy mobilizes to challenge Israeli siege on Gaza

A Tunisian-led convoy, spearheaded by football ultras and grassroots activists, is preparing to confront Israel's blockade of Gaza, marking a bold humanitarian and political stand against a 16-year siege. The "Resilience Convoy," organized by the Coordination for Joint Action for Palestine, is set to depart Tunisia on June 9, aiming to reach Gaza through Libya and Egypt.

Tunisian ultras at the forefront of solidarity

Prominent Tunisian football ultras, including the Bad Blue Boys Juniors of Espérance Sportive de Tunis and the Leaders Clubistes of Club Africain, have rallied behind the initiative. These supporter groups, known for their vocal solidarity with Palestine, have urged citizens to join the effort, framing participation as a moral imperative.

“When the world falls silent, the crowds must scream,” declared the Leaders Clubistes, emphasizing their commitment to the Palestinian cause as a core identity of their movement.

The convoy has drawn widespread interest, receiving over 7,000 applications. Volunteers are being carefully screened based on age, health, and logistical considerations. Support from Libyan ultras, such as the Teha Boys of Al-Ahly Tripoli, and endorsements from major Tunisian unions, including workers, farmers, and doctors, further highlight the regional solidarity underpinning the initiative.

Coordinated efforts by land and sea

The convoy aligns its mission with the Freedom Flotilla, whose vessel Madleen—named after Gaza’s only fisherwoman, Madleen Kulab—is advancing toward Gaza’s shores. The flotilla carries prominent figures such as climate activist Greta Thunberg and Palestinian-American human rights attorney Huwaida Arraf, underscoring the global nature of the resistance. However, organizers remain wary of potential attacks by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), which have previously targeted similar missions.

Gaza: A humanitarian crisis under siege

Since 2007, Gaza has endured an all-encompassing blockade, cutting off its two million residents from essential resources and trapping them in what many describe as an open-air prison. The blockade, coupled with relentless bombings, has intensified the dire humanitarian crisis. Recent drone strikes and attacks by Israeli forces have further escalated tensions.

Israel’s replacement of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed entity, has exacerbated the suffering. GHF distribution centers have become hotspots for violence, with over 100 civilians killed near these so-called aid sites. Palestinians view these centers as symbols of a broader policy of weaponizing starvation and crushing organized relief efforts.

A call for resistance and hope

In the face of these challenges, the Resilience Convoy represents more than humanitarian aid—it is a political statement rejecting complicity and silence. “We don’t believe in the impossible,” said Wael Naouar, a spokesperson for the convoy. The initiative’s timing, moved forward to coincide with other international resistance efforts, reflects a growing determination to challenge the blockade and stand in solidarity with Gaza’s besieged population.

As Gaza endures its 100th day of near-continuous bombing, efforts like the Resilience Convoy and the Freedom Flotilla serve as a powerful reminder of the global resistance against oppression—a refusal to accept the status quo of silence and suffering.