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Italy announces release of Flotilla activists detained in Libya

By Thomson Reuters Jun 23, 2026 | 12:58 PM

ROME, June 23 (Reuters) – Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Tuesday two Italian ​pro-Palestinian campaigners detained in Libya ‌had been released after spending about a month in custody.

• Israeli forces last month arrested hundreds of ‌people ​on board dozens ⁠of ships in international ⁠waters, to halt Global Sumud Flotilla volunteers trying to bring aid supplies to the Gaza ​Strip.

• In a post on social media platform X, ⁠Tajani said the ⁠two Italians had been ​handed over to Italy’s consul in ​Benghazi, along with a Uruguayan ‌national who also holds Italian citizenship.

• The people held in Libya were part of a ⁠separate group of Flotilla activists who tried to reach the Palestinian enclave by ⁠land.

• ‌According to the Global ⁠Sumud Flotilla, the activists ​had ‌staged a hunger strike ​in protest ⁠at their detention and alleged mistreatment.

• Tajani said they were due to return to Italy on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Angelo AmanteEditing by ​Gareth Jones)