Thousands of Moroccans Protest in Rabat, Demand Humanitarian Access to Gaza

Rabat, Morocco July, 22,2025 Thousands of Moroccans gathered in the capital, Rabat, on Sunday to protest against Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and demand urgent humanitarian intervention to address the worsening crisis in the besieged enclave. Demonstrators condemned what they described as the « killings, displacement, and starvation » of Palestinians, while calling on the Moroccan government to sever diplomatic ties with Israel.

The protest comes amid growing international alarm over catastrophic food shortages and deteriorating living conditions in Gaza, where aid agencies warn that famine is imminent.

Protesters Decry Starvation, Demand End to Normalization
Protesters carried signs reading « Gaza has run out of flour »and banged empty pots with spoons a symbolic gesture highlighting the severe food shortages in Gaza. Chants of « No to starvation, no to normalization » echoed through the crowd, reflecting widespread anger over Morocco’s 2020 decision to normalize relations with Israel under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords.

Ali Mtawla, Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Left Federation (FGD), addressed the crowd, stating:
« Today, as all the free people of the world, we cry out and say: ‘Enough to starvation, enough to unjust brutal siege, enough to genocide.' »

Aid Restrictions and Accusations of Weaponizing Hunger
International aid organizations have repeatedly warned of Gaza’s collapsing humanitarian infrastructure, with more than 2.4 million people including 1.1 million children facing extreme hunger, according to a recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report. Israel has restricted aid deliveries, citing concerns that Hamas could divert supplies, but critics accuse it of collectively punishing civilians.

In May, the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began distributing aid but faced reports of deadly incidents involving Israeli forces and armed clashes. Media outlets have alleged that Israeli soldiers were « ordered to shoot » civilians a claim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed as « malicious falsehoods. »The GHF also denied reports that American contractors used live ammunition during aid distributions.

Meanwhile, the GHF claims to have delivered tens of millions of meals, accusing other aid groups of failing to prevent looting. However, humanitarian access remains severely constrained, with aid agencies struggling to operate amid ongoing fighting.

Ceasefire Collapse and Rising Death Toll
A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which included limited hostage-prisoner exchanges, collapsed in March. The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas-led attacks killed around 1,200 Israelis, has since escalated into one of the deadliest wars in recent history. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, nearly 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, with 140,000 wounded though these figures remain disputed by Israel.

Growing Global Outcry
The Rabat protest reflects a broader wave of international condemnation, with similar demonstrations occurring across Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. As pressure mounts on governments to take stronger stances, Morocco one of only a few Arab states to normalize ties with Israel faces increasing domestic backlash.

With no immediate resolution in sight, humanitarian agencies continue to plead for unrestricted aid access and a lasting ceasefire. For now, Gaza’s civilians remain trapped in what the United Nations describes as an « unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. »