LIVE UPDATES: Tracking North African "Soumoud" convoy on its journey to Gaza

The Soumoud aid convoy, carrying essential humanitarian supplies for Gaza, is now nearing the Egyptian border, one step closer to its destination.

As the North African aid convoy, Soumoud, heads toward Gaza with hopes of delivering vital humanitarian supplies, questions loom over whether Egyptian authorities will allow it to pass through.

The uncertainty deepened on Thursday after Egypt detained more than 200 activists in Cairo, many of whom had planned to participate in a solidarity march to the Rafah border.

Read more: Egypt detains over 200 activists ahead of Gaza solidarity march

The convoy, organized by various groups across multiple North African countries, aims to reach the Rafah crossing in the coming days. But the crackdown in Cairo casts doubt on whether Egypt will permit even aid-focused delegations to proceed.

Flag-waving Libyans welcome a Gaza-bound convoy as it reaches the capital, Tripoli, on its way to the Palestinian territory in a bid to break “Israel's” blockade.

The Soumoud convoy, meaning steadfastness in Arabic, set off from Tunis in buses and cars on Monday, hoping to pass through divided Libya and Egypt, which organizers say has yet to provide passage permits, to reach Gaza.

According to its live tracker, the North African Soumoud convoy en route to Gaza is currently in the heart of Tripoli, the capital of Libya, as of its latest update on 12:12 PM (GMT+3).

A global solidarity march for Gaza, involving over 10,000 participants from 32 countries, began on Sunday to challenge 'Israel’s' blockade of the enclave and demand an end to the ongoing war.

Organized by the Global March to Gaza coalition, the campaign seeks to deliver humanitarian aid and show worldwide support for Palestinians facing genocide.

The marchers, hailing from Europe, North and South America, and several Arab and Asian nations, will convene in Cairo on June 12 before heading to al-Arish in northeastern Egypt. From there, they plan to march on foot to the Rafah border crossing, where protest tents will be set up, pending approval from Egyptian authorities, who remain cautious about public demonstrations.

The Algerian "Caravan of Steadfastness" was among the first to mobilize, departing Algiers on Sunday to join a Tunisian convoy. Carrying Palestinian and Tunisian flags, the group crossed into Libya via the Ras Jadir border and will travel through Tripoli, Misrata, Sirte, Benghazi, and Tobruk, aiming to reach Egypt’s Salloum crossing on June 12 and Rafah by June 15.

A substantial aid convoy, comprising over 1,000 activists from various North African nations, commenced an overland journey from the Tunisian capital on Monday, aiming to deliver vital assistance to the besieged Gaza Strip.

The convoy, consisting of 12 buses and 100 private vehicles, is currently making its way towards the Libyan border. Nabil Chenoufi, a spokesperson for the convoy, confirmed their progress, telling Anadolu, "We are set to cross the border into Libya." He further described a warm reception along their route, noting, "We were welcomed by thousands in the cities of Gabes, Medenine, Ben Guerdane, and Sfax, and they organized a lunch for us."

Activists intend to traverse Libya and Egypt, with plans to reach the city of Rafah, bordering Gaza, by Thursday. This overland endeavor comes just a day after reports emerged of "Israel" intercepting the Madleen freedom flotilla destined for Gaza, leading to the detention of 12 foreign activists who were on board.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been a growing concern, with aid agencies issuing stark warnings of potential famine among the territory's 2.4 million residents. This comes as "Israel" has reportedly maintained a closure of Gaza's border crossings to humanitarian aid since early March.

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.”

Organizers say the convoy sends a clear message to the international community: Open the borders and stop the deliberate starvation of Gaza’s population.