By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

A Gaza-bound aid campaign faces new challenges as activists were detained in Libya and legal battles widened elsewhere.

Key Developments

• Two Italian activists from the Global Sumud convoy were detained in eastern Libya and may face deportation.
• The convoy later reported attacks near Sirte and alleged assaults on activists.
• Legal scrutiny surrounding Israel’s interception of Gaza aid efforts is expanding in multiple countries.

Detained in Eastern Libya

A humanitarian effort aimed at reaching Gaza encountered new obstacles this week after two Italian activists traveling with the Global Sumud overland convoy were detained in eastern Libya and transferred to Benghazi.

Italian media reported that Domenico Centrone and Dina Alberizia were being treated as possible illegal immigrants and could face deportation following proceedings before a court in Benghazi.

Legal sources within the convoy said the activists were accused of entering eastern Libya without obtaining a required “security permit.” Lawyers representing them said expulsion remained a possibility and could occur shortly after court proceedings conclude.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that authorities were in contact with officials in Benghazi regarding the case.

“I hope the judge decides to allow them to return to Italy,” Tajani told reporters in Rome, adding that Italian officials were working toward securing their return “as soon as possible.”

The two Italians were among ten activists detained Sunday, including participants from Argentina, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Tunisia, Uruguay and the United States.

Earlier reports indicated contact with members of the convoy had been lost while negotiations were taking place at a checkpoint operated by forces linked to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, whose forces control Benghazi.

URGENT ALERT

The Land Convoy is currently under attack.

Unknown vehicles are reportedly ramming into tents and people are being beaten and dragged into cars and buses by force.

Men and women are being violently attacked and forced to leave the site.

While it is unclear who… pic.twitter.com/QZPZvjwgBE

— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) May 25, 2026

Attacks Near Sirte

Hours later, concerns surrounding the convoy deepened.

The Italian delegation of the Global Sumud mission said activists near Sirte had come under attack, reporting that participants were allegedly assaulted, beaten and forcibly dragged onto buses while unidentified vehicles approached camp areas.

According to the movement, it remained unclear who was responsible for the incidents. However, organizers said they had received information suggesting the attacks may have involved security forces associated with western Libyan authorities.

The convoy later issued appeals urging governments to establish immediate contact with authorities in eastern Libya and demand the unconditional release of detained participants.

The Global Sumud land mission departed on May 15, marking the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (catastrophe). Organizers said the convoy included seven ambulances, twenty mobile housing units, ten humanitarian aid trucks, and more than 200 participants representing over twenty-five countries.

Several Italian activists remain among those participating in the mission.

One participant, 79-year-old nurse Giuseppina Branca, had reportedly previously participated in Gaza solidarity missions and had earlier been detained in Israel.

Legal Challenges Expand

The developments unfolded only days after Global Sumud announced that Israeli authorities had seized all fifty vessels participating in a maritime mission intended to reach Gaza.

The flotilla included 428 participants from 44 countries and had departed from the Turkish district of Marmaris in an effort to challenge the Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007.

Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry later announced that 85 Turkish citizens participating in the mission had been evacuated along with volunteers from 41 countries.

Actions taken against flotilla participants in Israeli detention generated broad international reactions.

Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, drew criticism after video footage circulated showing him addressing detained activists while they were reportedly kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs in Ashdod port.

Alla fine il sospetto che l’invito delle autorità della Libia orientale fosse solo una trappola, si è rivelato reale e concreto. I dieci attivisti della “Flotilla di terra” fra cui gli italiani Domenico Centrone e Dina Alberizia, sono stati fermati, accusati di ingresso illegale… pic.twitter.com/4TDrZmrk0L

— Repubblica (@repubblica) May 25, 2026

Meanwhile, legal developments have also begun emerging in Italy.

Italian media reported that prosecutors in Rome have opened an investigation concerning the detention of activists captured during the maritime mission after Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in international waters.

Investigators are reportedly examining possible charges, including unlawful detention, while also reviewing allegations that could include torture and sexual violence.

Moreover, Italian legal teams involved with the flotilla reportedly submitted documentation identifying members of Israel’s political and military chain of command for review. The material includes references compiled by the Hind Rajab Foundation, which has gathered evidence related to alleged war crimes.

(PC, ANSA, Anadolu)