Rome, Italy – The Italian government has called for the release of two Italian pro-Palestinian activists detained in eastern Libya.
This appeal came after the two men, along with eight other activists, began a hunger and thirst strike several days ago to protest their detention.
Detainees among a group supporting Gaza
The Italian Foreign Ministry reported that the Italian consul in Benghazi has requested the local authorities release the detained Italian citizens.
He also requested permission to visit them and assess their health.
According to reports, the detainees in Libya belong to a group of activists
associated with the “Global Resilience Flotilla” initiative.
They were attempting to reach the Gaza Strip via a land route
after other attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to the territory failed.
This case follows the Israeli military’s announcement last May
that it had intercepted dozens of ships and detained hundreds of people.
These individuals had participated in maritime activities in support of Gaza.
Warnings of deteriorating health conditions
The organizers of the “Global Resilience Flotilla” confirmed that ten detainees have entered their fifth day of a hunger and thirst strike.
This comes in protest against their continued detention and what they described as ill-treatment.
A statement from the Italian Foreign Ministry indicated that the health of the strikers is rapidly deteriorating.
The statement warned that the continuation of the strike without intervention could lead to serious consequences.
The organizers called on relevant authorities and international organizations
to take urgent action to end the crisis and ensure the safety of the detainees.
They stressed that the continuation of the current situation could turn the issue into a humanitarian crisis.
Authorities in Benghazi have not yet issued an official comment regarding the demands
for the activists’ release or the allegations concerning their detention conditions.
