March to Gaza set to begin June 12 in Cairo, build toward Rafah protest
Activists and healthcare professionals from 31 countries are launching two coordinated efforts to demand humanitarian access to Gaza, where famine and a collapsed health system have intensified under 'Israel’s' ongoing blockade.
The Global March to Gaza, led by a coalition of over 150 NGOs, kicks off on June 12 in Cairo, where participants will travel to al-Arish in northern Sinai before marching toward the Rafah border crossing on June 13. Rallies will be held on June 14, followed by a mass protest on June 15.
Participants plan to camp near the crossing until June 20, pending approval from Egyptian authorities.
“The program begins June 12 and ends June 20,” said Dr. Huseyin Durmaz, a Türkiye-based physician and campaign organizer for Anadolu agency. “We will also hold tent protests during this three-day period. We will make our voices heard to the whole world in Rafah.”
Durmaz added that the organizers have contacted Egyptian officials through diplomatic channels, though formal approval is still pending. “We made the necessary explanations to the Egyptian authorities regarding the purpose of the action,” he said. “We are expecting permission for this peaceful and civil action.”
Organizers expect between 2,500 and 3,000 people to join the campaign, with no official cap on participation.
Meanwhile, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) is challenging the siege by sea. On June 1, the vessel Madleen departed Catania, Sicily, carrying humanitarian aid and prominent passengers including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, European Parliament member Rima Hassan, and Palestinian-American attorney Huwaida Arraf.
This follows a previous flotilla attempt in May, when the FFC’s ship Conscience was reportedly damaged in an 'Israeli' drone strike. The coalition says the current voyage is a protest against the blockade and an urgent appeal for global attention to Gaza’s worsening humanitarian catastrophe.
Cunningham, known for his role in Game of Thrones, said his participation stems from long-standing support for Palestinian rights:
“What’s happening in Gaza is not just a political failure—it’s a moral one.”
Despite recent claims by 'Israel' of easing the blockade, aid remains critically restricted. A new distribution system led by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by 'Israel' and the U.S., was widely criticized after dozens were killed and injured during a chaotic food delivery this week. The UN has refused to take part, accusing 'Israel' of politicizing aid.
Together, the Global March to Gaza and the Freedom Flotilla reflect rising global pressure to end the siege. As both land and sea campaigns unfold, international demands for humanitarian relief and accountability in Gaza continue to grow louder.
