**Four Gaza Aid Flotilla Activists Released from Libya Detention**
*Published on June 24, 2026*
Four activists associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were detained in Libya for approximately a month, have been released and have returned to Tunis, according to a statement from the organization. The activists—Achraf Khoja from Tunisia, Matias Rodriguez from Uruguay, and Italian nationals Domenico Centrone and Leonarda Alberizia—were part of a group that aimed to break the Israeli maritime blockade of Gaza.
The release of the activists comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and the international efforts to provide aid to the region. The Global Sumud Flotilla reported that six additional activists are expected to be released within the next 24 hours.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed relief at the news of the release, particularly for the two Italian nationals and Rodriguez, who holds Italian citizenship. He confirmed that they were handed over to Italy’s consul in Benghazi and would be returning to Italy on the same day.
The activists were part of a larger movement that witnessed over 400 individuals being arrested last month in international waters while attempting to reach Gaza on various vessels. However, the group detained in Libya was distinct, as they had attempted to reach Gaza overland. Their journey was intended to secure permission from local authorities in Libya for a humanitarian convoy to proceed through Libya and Egypt to the Gaza Strip.
On May 24, 2026, an armed group linked to Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), which operates under the de facto authorities in eastern and southern Libya, detained the ten humanitarian activists from eight different countries. Following their arrest, the activists experienced enforced disappearances lasting from two to nine days before being interrogated by prosecutors. They were subsequently placed in pretrial detention pending investigations into charges of "assembly without authorization," as reported by Amnesty International.
The activists, during their time in detention, staged a hunger strike to protest their treatment and the conditions of their detention. Their release has been welcomed by various humanitarian organizations and advocates for Palestinian rights, who continue to call for greater international awareness and action regarding the situation in Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla's efforts to break the blockade highlight the ongoing challenges faced by humanitarian groups attempting to provide aid to Gaza amidst a complex geopolitical landscape. The situation remains fluid, with continued calls for the protection of humanitarian workers and the need for dialogue to address the humanitarian needs of those in the region.
As the international community watches closely, the release of these activists may serve to renew discussions around the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader implications of international maritime law and humanitarian access in conflict zones.