Key facts
- Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed the release of two Italian activists detained in Libya.
- The activists were held for approximately one month.
- They were part of a group attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
- A Uruguayan national with Italian citizenship was also released.
- The activists had gone on a hunger strike to protest their detention.
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on Tuesday that two Italian pro-Palestinian campaigners, detained in Libya for approximately one month, have been released. The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to deliver aid supplies to the Gaza Strip.
According to Tajani, the two Italians, along with a Uruguayan national holding Italian citizenship, were handed over to Italy's consul in Benghazi. These individuals were part of a separate group of Flotilla activists who attempted to reach Gaza by land. The Global Sumud Flotilla reported that the detainees had staged a hunger strike to protest their detention and alleged mistreatment.
Amnesty International had previously stated that 10 members of the Global Sumud Land Convoy were arbitrarily detained in eastern Libya for over two weeks. These activists, from eight different countries, were arrested on May 24, 2026, while en route to Sirte to negotiate passage for their convoy. They faced charges of "assembly without authorization," potentially leading to up to six months in prison and/or a fine.
The human rights organization highlighted that the detainees, aged between 30 and 70, had gone on a hunger strike from June 1 to at least June 4, protesting their detention and denial of access to legal and family representatives. The convoy's mission reportedly ended on May 25, 2026, after unidentified armed men dispersed its encampment near Sirte, compelling members to return to Tripoli. The ministry of foreign affairs of the Benghazi-based "Libyan Government" stated that the convoy had entered Libya without completing required legal procedures or securing permits.