Key facts
- Italy appealed to Libyan authorities for the release of two detained Italian pro-Palestinian campaigners.
- The activists are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla and are on a five-day hunger and water strike.
- They were arrested on May 24 for immigration violations while attempting to negotiate passage for a humanitarian convoy to Gaza.
- The Global Sumud Flotilla is demanding access for medical monitors and consular staff, and unconditional release.
- Ten detainees are on hunger strike, with their health rapidly deteriorating.
Italy has formally appealed to authorities in eastern Libya for the release of two Italian pro-Palestinian campaigners who, along with eight other activists, have been refusing food and water for five days. The detainees are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which stated that their health is rapidly deteriorating. The organisation described the detention conditions as isolated, non-civilian prison complexes operated by the Libyan Interior Ministry, where the volunteers are receiving contradictory information and false promises of release. The Global Sumud Flotilla is demanding immediate access for independent medical monitors and foreign consular staff, as well as the unconditional release of all volunteers. The group of 10 were arrested on May 24 for immigration violations when they approached the city of Sirte to negotiate the safe passage of a humanitarian convoy heading for Gaza. Separately, Israeli forces arrested 430 people on board 50 ships in international waters in May, attempting to halt a flotilla of volunteers trying to bring aid supplies to the Gaza Strip.