Haftar’s forces detain members of aid convoy to Gaza, activists issue video appeals
Haftar’s forces detained members of an aid convoy to Gaza on May 26, 2026, prompting video appeals from activists and renewed warnings from rights groups.
Forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar have detained individuals travelling with a land convoy bound for Gaza, according to accounts circulating on social media and statements from campaigners on Tuesday. The detention of the aid convoy to Gaza occurred as teams sought to move humanitarian supplies through multiple checkpoints in Libya, and activists in Europe and the United States responded by releasing pre-recorded video appeals demanding their release. Rights groups warned the move heightens concerns over the safety of cross-border humanitarian operations and recalled past reports of arbitrary detention and torture by fighters aligned with the Libyan National Army (LNA).
Details of the detention reported on May 26, 2026
Witnesses and activists described the detained convoy members as aid workers and volunteers who were transporting food, medical supplies and other humanitarian material. Sources said the convoy was stopped by armed men identified as loyal to Haftar and that several people were taken into custody, though precise numbers and identities were not immediately available. Local and international monitors are attempting to verify the accounts, and officials have not released a full statement confirming the exact circumstances of the detentions.
Activists in Europe and the US publish video appeals
Activist groups in Europe and the United States released pre-recorded video appeals calling for the immediate release of the detained convoy members and unimpeded access for humanitarian supplies. The appeals, circulated on social platforms and through campaign networks, included appeals to foreign governments and humanitarian agencies to press for protections for aid workers. Organizers said the videos aimed to draw international attention quickly, citing concerns that prolonged detention could endanger the detainees and halt critical deliveries to civilians in Gaza.
Human rights organizations point to LNA record
Human rights organizations have repeatedly documented abuses by forces allied with the Libyan National Army, noting a pattern that includes arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture. Rights groups said the detention of the convoy members is consistent with those documented practices and urged independent investigators to gain access to the detainees and detention sites. Observers cautioned that without transparent procedures and external oversight, detained aid personnel face heightened risk of mistreatment and limited access to legal safeguards.
Humanitarian implications for aid deliveries to Gaza
The detention incident risks further complicating already fragile aid corridors to Gaza, where civilians rely on sustained deliveries for essentials such as food, medicine and fuel. Humanitarian organizations warned that the threat of seizure or detention can deter volunteer efforts and obstruct coordinated relief operations, leading to delays at critical moments. Agencies working in the region said secure and reliable transit routes are essential for timely assistance and called on all armed actors to respect protections for aid convoys and their personnel under international humanitarian principles.
Calls for investigation and diplomatic pressure grow
Following the reports, several advocacy groups and campaigners urged international institutions and foreign governments to demand clarity and accountability from parties controlling transit routes in Libya. Calls for an independent investigation emphasized the need for access to those detained, verification of the charges — if any — and rapid consular or humanitarian intervention where appropriate. Diplomats and humanitarian coordinators were urged to prioritize the case to avoid setting a precedent that could impede future aid movements to Gaza and other crisis zones.
The detention of a land convoy attempting to reach Gaza has reignited concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers moving through conflict-affected territories and underscored the precarious nature of cross-border relief efforts. As rights groups press for transparency and activists amplify appeals from abroad, international observers will be watching for confirmation of the detainees’ status and any official responses from authorities in Libya.
