Ten international activists serving on the negotiation delegation of the Global Sumud Land Convoy—an initiative launched to break the land blockade on Gaza and amplify the voice of the Palestinian people—have been released after being unlawfully detained for 31 days by Haftar forces in Libya. Some of the activists have arrived in Istanbul, while others have safely reached Tunisia.
Despite efforts by regional and international actors to obstruct humanitarian corridors amid Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, the determination of civil society initiatives has prevailed. The evacuation process for the activists, who had been held under inhumane conditions in Benghazi by authorities in eastern Libya since 24 May 2026, has now been completed. Four activists arrived safely in Tunisia yesterday, while six others landed at Istanbul Airport today at 1:20 PM, where they were welcomed by representatives and supporters.
“We Were Not Detained — We Were Kidnapped”
Twenty-four-year-old Polish activist Laura Kwoczala, who was forced to undergo an appendectomy during her detention, spoke about her experience upon arriving at Istanbul Airport. She explained that the delegation had traveled to conduct humanitarian negotiations and stressed that the deprivation of their freedom had no legal basis whatsoever.
Kwoczala stated:
“We were not detained; we were kidnapped. This did not happen at the border crossing. Our convoy was intercepted before we even reached the checkpoint. We were then taken to the Illegal Migration Control Center. We were told that we would be released and transferred to Tripoli. Instead, we were flown to Benghazi on a private aircraft and imprisoned without any charges.”
The young activist emphasized that her ordeal was insignificant compared to the suffering endured by the Palestinian people and called on the international community: “Do not let the world forget Palestine.”
A Broad Diplomatic Effort
The end of this unlawful detention was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the legal teams of WOLAS and the Global Sumud Fleet, diplomatic initiatives by the Turkish authorities, and solidarity campaigns across the world. As several governments, particularly Türkiye, became involved in the process, the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated deportation procedures following a meeting in Benghazi between the Head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), İbrahim Kalın, and Saddam Haftar.
“New Fleets and Convoys Are on the Way”
Speaking at Istanbul Airport while welcoming the delegation, Beheşti İsmail Songür, President of the Mavi Marmara Association and Board Member of both the Freedom Fleet and the Sumud Fleet, stressed that convoys and flotillas would continue until the siege on Gaza is lifted.
Bülent Yıldırım, President of the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, stated that the campaign would continue with greater momentum:
“Even if the world’s powers remain silent, we will not. Next time, we will be in the Mediterranean with even more ships. New convoys will be organized, new marches will take place. Israel’s pressure will not stop this struggle, and victory will belong to Palestine.”
Activists Who Have Regained Their Freedom
Arrived in Istanbul Today
Maria Giménez (Argentina)
Lucas Aguilera (Argentina)
Jenelle Jones (United States)
Ana Margarida Baptista (Portugal)
Laura Kwoczala (Poland)
Alicia Armesto (Spain)
Arrived in Tunisia Yesterday
Achraf Khoja (Tunisia)
Domenico Centrone (Italy)
Leonarda Alberizia (Italy)
Matias Rodriguez (Uruguay)
Efforts Continue for Activists Detained in Tunisia
Following the positive outcome in eastern Libya, attention has now turned to Tunisia. Efforts are continuing without interruption on behalf of four activists—Wael Naouar, Ghassan Henchiri, Nabil Chanoufi, and Ghassan Boughdiri—who have been held in Tunisia since 6 March 2026, for nearly 100 days. Their supporters and legal teams remain engaged in ongoing initiatives aimed at securing their release.