Letter to Libyan Government and Red Crescent from Global Sumud Land Convoy

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Letter to Libyan Government and Red Crescent

Request to Facilitate and Secure the Passage of the International Convoy through Libyan Territory (Sirte – Sallum Route)
May 19, 2026

LOCATION — Sirte, Libya

To: Libyan Government & Red Crescent

In light of the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Gaza Strip as a result of the ongoing siege, starvation, and continuous targeting of civilians, and the resulting severe collapse in health, living, and humanitarian conditions, and based on the shared humanitarian, moral, and legal responsibility toward the Palestinian people, we address Your Excellency with this letter, in appreciation of the role played by the Libyan state and its institutions in supporting humanitarian causes, and in the hope of your cooperation to facilitate international relief efforts aimed at delivering specialized humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

And, out of our deep belief in the importance of partnership and coordination with various official authorities in addressing humanitarian issues, and in recognition of the pivotal role you play in this regard, we are sending you this delegation based on this belief and within a framework of trust and cooperation. Our primary goal is to deliver humanitarian aid to its rightful beneficiaries in the best possible conditions, ensuring the efficiency and smooth implementation of humanitarian work, and reflecting the spirit of shared responsibility in this critical humanitarian situation.

We hereby inform Your Excellency that the convoy subject of this request is a specialized international humanitarian relief convoy, part of the initiatives of the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” one of the most prominent international civilian humanitarian initiatives, with participation from actors from more than 44 countries worldwide.

The convoy departed from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, passing through the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and the Republic of Tunisia, then through western Libyan territories, with participation of more than 20 trucks, ambulances, and mobile accommodation units, and more than 230 participants from 21 countries, including doctors, engineers, educators, lawyers, media professionals, and humanitarian volunteers.

The convoy has been smoothly facilitated through all countries and regions it has passed through, and the only remaining step to reach its final destination is its passage through Libyan territory along its eastern route toward the Sallum border crossing, where the aid will be handed over to the Libyan Red Crescent in accordance with established humanitarian mechanisms.

Accordingly, we respectfully request the following:

Ensure the safe and uninterrupted passage of all convoy vehicles and participants through the city of Sirte and all areas, passing through Benghazi, and reaching the Sallum border crossing, in a manner that reflects the prevailing stability and administrative organization in these regions, which enables the safe and efficient movement of civilian and humanitarian convoys.

Facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid at the Sallum crossing to the Libyan Red Crescent, which will in turn coordinate with the Egyptian Red Crescent to ensure its delivery to its final destination in accordance with approved humanitarian mechanisms and to guarantee smooth and efficient transfer operations.

Issue operational instructions to all checkpoints, military units, police forces, border personnel, and administrative authorities to ensure no obstruction, detention, intimidation, confiscation, or harassment of convoy members.

Provide full protection for the physical safety of all participants, including international delegates, journalists, medical staff, and civilian organizers.

Ensure respect and protection of all convoy equipment, including communication devices, documentation materials, press equipment, medical supplies, personal belongings, and vehicles, in a manner that preserves the civilian and humanitarian nature of the convoy and ensures the safety of its mission.

This request is based on established principles of international law and Libya’s obligations under applicable legal frameworks, including:

Decisions of the International Court of Justice issued in 2024 regarding the obligation to ensure unhindered access of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip;

Relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2720 and Resolution 2728;

Article (33) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits collective punishment;

Article (54) of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits the use of starvation as a method of warfare;

Article (70) of Additional Protocol I of 1977, which requires the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilian populations in need;

Protection of civilians and civilian objects under international humanitarian law, including principles enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law.

As the authority exercising de facto administrative control over the relevant transit territory, your leadership bears responsibility for ensuring that forces under your authority do not commit or facilitate any violations against convoy participants.

The Sumud Convoy is proceeding transparently and publicly and is under international observation. There is no legal or factual basis for interfering with its movement.

Accordingly, we request a response regarding safe passage arrangements and approval within 24 hours of receipt of this letter.

Failure to provide confirmation or to guarantee safe passage within this timeframe will be interpreted as a refusal to ensure the safety of a peaceful civilian convoy, despite prior notice and an opportunity for coordination.

Time is of the essence given the convoy’s operational schedule and logistical coordination requirements.

We further affirm that, given the specialized nature of this humanitarian convoy, it is not limited to the transport of material aid alone, but also includes a delegation of specialists in various medical, educational, engineering, and legal fields, aiming to contribute to relief efforts and rehabilitation inside the Gaza Strip, and to strengthen humanitarian response capacity under the current conditions.

We also emphasize that the scale of this international humanitarian initiative, with its cross-border civilian dimensions and unprecedented coordination among hundreds of participants from dozens of countries and nationalities, makes it a true test of the international community’s will to ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and requires the concerted political and diplomatic efforts necessary to secure its passage and achieve its noble humanitarian objectives.

In conclusion, we rely on your pivotal role, with its political and administrative weight in this critical regional and international context, to undertake urgent and coordinated action with all relevant parties to strengthen efforts aimed at stopping the policy of forced starvation, massacres, and ongoing bloodshed in the Gaza Strip, and to activate all available international and legal channels to halt grave violations against the Palestinian people and end their escalating suffering.

We thank you for your kind attention and cooperation.

Respectfully,

Maghreb Sumud Organization
Global Sumud Flotilla Steering Committee

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