On 10 June, the so-called ‘Steadfastness Convoy’ entered Libya from Tunisia, travelling eastwards with the aim of crossing into Egypt and then reaching the Gaza border. The humanitarian convoy, which began in Tunis, aimed to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to deliver humanitarian aid. The convoy was widely welcomed by Libyans and several Libyan politicians.
However, things took a turn on 11 June when the convoy reached the outskirts of Sirte, as Libyan National Army (LNA) forces stopped them from proceeding any further. The convoy of over 1000 people ended up camping by the roadside for several days, before retreating to Misrata on 15 June. Several bloggers who were part of the convoy posted about their treatment and condemned the eastern authorities, accusing them of not supporting the Palestinian people. Many Libyan groups and actors condemned the blockade of the convoy.
On 12 June, the Government of National Stability (GNS) said it welcomed the convoy and the principle of providing humanitarian and moral support for the Palestinian people. However, it stressed that the Egyptians had informed the GNS that they would refuse entry to any foreigner without an entry visa, and that travel through certain areas requires coordination and security approvals in advance. The GNS stressed that those involved must respect the regulations.
On 13 June, meetings were held between the convoy’s organisers from the Action for Palestine Coordination Committee and various eastern political and security officials, including from the GNS.
On 14 June, organisers from the Action for Palestine Coordination Committee said they were subjected to a ‘systematic siege’, with no access to food, water or medicine and communications severely disrupted. They said the LNA had prevented supplies from reaching their camp and had prevented additional convoy members from joining them. They also denounced the LNA’s arrest of several convoy members. They said some of those arrested were bloggers who the LNA had accused of posting videos insulting the eastern authorities, adding they were not allowed to be accompanied by a lawyer.
The GNS Foreign Minister Abdul Hadi al-Hweij claimed that officials from the convoy had issued a formal apology for what were described as ‘unintentional insults’ directed at Libya, explaining that some external groups had attempted to exploit the convoy for their own aims.
In addition, on 15 June, a small group of protestors in Benghazi denounced the Israeli occupation and stressed the East’s support for the Palestinian people. However, they also condemned the ‘unacceptable slander, lies and transgressions committed by some members of the Steadfastness Convoy’ against the eastern region and its people through video clips published on social media.