Libyan Forces Detain Gaza Aid Convoy Activists TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar detained members of a Gaza aid convoy at the Sirte checkpoint on May 25, 2026, according to reports.
The activists, hailing from various countries including Spain, Poland, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal, Tunisia, and the United States, were attempting to deliver medical supplies, baby formula, food, and reconstruction materials to the beleaguered region.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, an organization involved in the aid mission, reported the incident on its Instagram page.
The detained activists were described as civilians, doctors, and human rights defenders who volunteered to deliver aid and support the Palestinian people.
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for several years, with multiple attempts by various groups to deliver aid to the region. Libya has been experiencing its own internal conflict since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
General Haftar, a military leader, has been a significant figure in the conflict, controlling much of the east of the country.
Local sources indicate that the Libyan National Army (LNA), which is loyal to General Haftar, has a record of arbitrary detention and torture, according to rights groups.
The incident at the Sirte checkpoint has raised concerns about the treatment of activists and the safety of aid deliveries in the region.
The convoy, which was part of the Global Sumud Land Convoy, had set out from Zalitan, Libya, with the aim of challenging an Egyptian and Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The previous land convoy in June had also stopped at Sirte, where it later disbanded after Libyan forces refused to let them pass.
The detention of the activists comes amidst a backdrop of increased tensions in the region.
The United States has recently imposed sanctions on four activists involved in flotilla missions seeking to break Israel’s 19-year siege on Gaza. Washington accused flotilla organisers of trying to reach the Palestinian territory “in support of Hamas. ” The exact circumstances of the detention and the conditions under which the activists are being held remain unclear.
However, the incident underscores the challenges faced by those attempting to deliver aid to Gaza and the risks associated with navigating the complex political landscape of the region.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely monitoring the developments and calling for the immediate release of the detained activists.
The incident has once again highlighted the dire need for a sustainable and peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza and the broader issues of aid delivery and human rights in the region.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
