The Algerian Popular Coordination for the Support of Palestine expressed hope that the convoy would make its way towards the Rafah Crossing [GETTY]
A land convoy aid initiative has begun preparations in western Libya ahead of a planned journey east towards Gaza involving hundreds of activists and volunteers, marking the group’s third attempt to reach the Strip.
The convoy in support of the Gaza Strip continues to gather in the Joud Daem forest area, around 30 kilometres west of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after entering Libyan territory two days ago.
The forest camp serves as the first meeting point between convoy participants and Libyan organisations supporting the initiative.
Ahmed Ghaniya, a member of the Maghreb Sumud Committee, told The New Arab that Moroccan delegations have been arriving at the Joud Daem site since yesterday.
He added that participants had begun preparations and training exercises and had secured and purchased supplies ahead of the convoy’s departure in the coming days.
The Algerian Popular Coordination for the Support of Palestine expressed hope that the convoy would make its way towards the Rafah Crossing.
Ghaniya said around 500 participants from across the Maghreb were expected to take part, alongside Arab and non-Arab nationals. He said the convoy included activists, volunteers and medical teams from several countries.
He stressed that the initiative’s main aim was to ease the suffering of Gaza’s residents amid severe shortages of food and medicine, adding that efforts were focused on delivering essential aid into the territory.
The official page of the Maghreb Sumud Committee also published videos and photos showing participants gathering inside halls at the Joud Daem site, as well as scenes from the convoy’s first meetings to discuss logistical preparations and the upcoming departure plan.
Last year, activists and volunteers organised the original “Sumud Convoy”, which set off from Tunisia towards Libya in June, with broad participation from across the Maghreb and internationally.
The convoy crossed western Libyan regions amid notable public support and large turnouts in some cities it passed through.
However, the convoy was stopped at the western gate of the northern Libyan city of Sirte, where authorities affiliated with retired General Khalifa Haftar informed participants they would not be allowed to continue east towards Egyptian territory and Gaza.
Authorities cited several reasons for the decision, including claims that some participants lacked official visas to enter Libya.
Despite the ban, participants set up temporary camps near Sirte’s security checkpoint under increasingly tight security measures.
During the standoff, some convoy leaders were arrested by Haftar-affiliated forces, prompting participants to withdraw from the Sirte area back towards western Libya, bringing the attempt to pass through Libya and Egypt towards Gaza to an end.
