DaysofPal – The Global Sumoud Fleet has submitted an official request to the Egyptian government seeking approval to allow a land-based humanitarian convoy to enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza.
In a statement, the fleet said Gaza is enduring extremely harsh winter conditions amid a “man-made” humanitarian crisis caused by ongoing restrictions on aid. The request comes as severe shortages of food, medical supplies, shelter materials, and other basic necessities continue to affect the enclave’s population.
According to the statement, the fleet aims to obtain permission to dispatch a humanitarian convoy that would enter Egypt through the Libya–Egypt border crossing and travel safely across Egyptian territory.
The convoy would be loaded with humanitarian supplies and would coordinate with relevant Egyptian authorities regarding inspection, security, and logistical procedures before reaching the Rafah crossing to deliver urgently needed aid.
The fleet emphasized that the convoy’s primary objective is to deliver life-saving assistance, including food, medicines, blankets, and other essential items, to local communities in Gaza still facing a prolonged humanitarian emergency. It stressed that the mission is “purely humanitarian” and committed to non-violence.
Previously, the Global Sumoud Fleet announced preparations for a large-scale maritime mission aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza in the spring of 2026.
The planned operation is expected to involve more than 100 boats and around 3,000 participants from over 100 countries, more than double the size of the previous mission and described as the largest coordinated civilian maritime action in support of Palestine to date.
Following the Israeli military invasion of the Palestinian city of Rafah and the occupation army’s seizure of the crossing from the Palestinian side, where it raised the Israeli flag, Egypt has kept the Rafah crossing closed since May 2024. Egypt has reiterated its refusal to coordinate with Israeli forces regarding the crossing.
It is also recalled that in October last year, Israeli forces raided vessels belonging to the Global Sumoud Fleet during a maritime mission to break the blockade on Gaza while they were sailing in international waters, escorting the lead ships to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
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