Thousands Prepare for Peaceful Global March to Gaza on June 15

Rabat – Activists, health workers, and everyday citizens from around the world are preparing for a massive peaceful march to the Rafah border crossing in Egypt on June 15.

Their goal is to demand urgent humanitarian access to Gaza, where aid has been blocked for over three months.

Called the Global March to Gaza, the movement brings together people from more than 35 countries. Delegations will begin gathering in Cairo on June 12, before traveling to the town of al-Arish in northern Sinai. From there, they will march to Rafah, just across the border from Gaza.

The organizers say the action is completely peaceful, civilian-led, and non-political. It is supported by over 150 NGOs, doctors, lawyers, and volunteers. Participants include people of all ages and backgrounds, from youth to elders.

“You are not forgotten. We are coming. From all over the world, we walk for you,” say the organizers.

The marchers have five key demands: An immediate ceasefire, the opening of the Gaza borders permanently, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, full reconstruction of Gaza, and an end to Israeli colonization of the West Bank.

According to Huseyin Durmaz, a Turkish physician involved in the campaign, the march is a direct response to the serious health and humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to Israel’s relentless genocide. He criticized international organizations for failing to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid.

“This time we will march to the Rafah border crossing to remind international institutions of their duties and to put pressure on them so that the situation in Gaza can end and be opened to humanitarian aid,” Durmaz said.

The march is set to unfold over several days, with participants arriving in Cairo and traveling to al-Arish on June 12. The following day, the march to Rafah would begin, with rallies and a major protest at the border on June 14 and 15.

June 15 will be the main day of global action and media coverage, with peaceful tent protests continuing near Rafah on June 16 and 20.

The organizers have reached out to Egyptian authorities to request formal permission, but it is unclear if they have received a response.

Despite that, they emphasize that they do not plan to force the border, as some rumors have claimed. “Contrary to rumors, the organizers clearly reject any idea of ‘forcing the border.’ The march is explicitly non-violent and aims to pressure governments via international visibility,” organizers said.

North African solidarity in focus

Tunisia and Algeria in particular have voiced that they are deploying large delegations and caravans to traverse North Africa to arrive in Cairo. The Tunisian caravan has already left with the Algerian participants in tow, and a Moroccan delegation has also voiced their support. 

Participants are gathering and talking on Telegram channels to organize everything from passports, visas to accommodation for this global mass gathering of solidarity. 

Since March 2, all border crossings into Gaza have been completely shut, blocking the delivery of food, water, and medicine. Aid agencies say this has created a famine and worsened the suffering of civilians, especially children and the elderly.

Though Israel has recently allowed limited aid to enter Gaza, it is nowhere near enough to cover the needs of the population.