ZAWIYA, LIBYA — A convoy carrying hundreds of people en route to the Gaza Strip arrived in Libya on Tuesday, after it set out earlier this week in a bid to challenge Israel’s blockade of the territory.

The land convoy began its journey in Tunis on Monday as hundreds of activists, lawyers and medical professionals boarded buses and cars bound for the Gaza Strip.

Some 1,500 people had joined in the procession as of Tuesday as it traversed North Africa. More are expected to join as the caravan makes its way through Libya and Egypt toward the Rafah border crossing.

Organizers told AFP on Monday that the convoy was not bringing aid into Gaza, but rather aimed at carrying out a “symbolic act” by breaking the blockade on the territory.

The convoy passed through the Libyan cities of Tripoli, Misrata, Sirte and Benghazi to reach the Saloum Crossing which borders Egypt. It is expected to soon reach Cairo before heading to Rafah.

Jamila Sharitah, an Algerian participant, said Tuesday that authorities in Tunisia and Libya have been cooperative with the convoy, helping facilitate their smooth journey.

Zayed al-Hamami, another participant, said the convoy aims to push for reopening crossings and allowing aid into the Gaza Strip.

“There are land, sea and air convoys that will arrive in Gaza despite the restrictions,” said convoy organizer Terkiya Shayibi. She added that violent responses against the convoy will not frighten them.

The convoy set off Monday just as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s Madleen, an aid ship that set sail from Sicily earlier this month, was intercepted by the IDF, after being repeatedly warned not to approach Gaza, and towed into Ashdod port.

Those aboard, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, were detained ahead of deportation.

Authorities deported Thunberg and three others from Israel on Tuesday. Eight other activists who arrived on the ship were detained after refusing to sign paperwork agreeing to leave the country.

After a two-and-a-half-month total blockade — aimed at pressuring the Hamas terror group, which is holding hostages it seized from Israel during its massacre on October 7, 2023 — Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month.