Sumud 2 convoy faces restrictions ahead of planned crossing to Egypt

Libya’s eastern-based government has said it will not allow members of the Gaza-bound Sumud 2 aid convoy to pass through areas under its control unless they meet the required legal and border procedures.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, affiliated with the government appointed by the House of Representatives and headed by Osama Hammad, said in a statement on Thursday that it had followed preparations by activists to organise a humanitarian convoy in support of the Palestinian people.

The ministry praised the initiative, saying it reflected Libya’s longstanding solidarity with the Palestinian cause, which it described as “central and constant” in the conscience of the Libyan state and people.

It said it had contacted the Egyptian authorities regarding the possible passage of the convoy towards Gaza. According to the ministry, Egypt welcomed humanitarian efforts aimed at easing the suffering of Palestinians, but stressed that entry through land crossings would be limited to Libyan nationals who meet the required procedures.

The ministry said it respected Egypt’s sovereign right to regulate entry through its borders, adding that those wishing to enter Egyptian territory should use official routes, including air travel, and obtain the necessary visas from the relevant Egyptian authorities in their countries.

It also said the eastern-based government was ready to coordinate with Libyan humanitarian bodies to receive aid from the convoy and work to deliver it to its intended destination in the convoy’s name.

The statement comes ahead of the expected movement of the Sumud 2 convoy towards eastern Libya, where areas are controlled by forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar and the House of Representatives-backed government.

Participants in the convoy have been gathering since Monday at Joud Daem forest, around 30 kilometres west of Tripoli, which organisers have designated as the first assembly point for activists and supporting Libyan organisations.

Ahmed Ghaniya, a member of the Maghreb Sumud Committee, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Moroccan delegations had arrived at the site and that participants had begun logistical preparations, training and the purchase of supplies ahead of the convoy’s planned departure.

He said around 500 people from Maghreb countries, as well as Arab and non-Arab nationals, were expected to take part, including activists, volunteers and medical teams.

Organisers say the convoy aims to deliver urgent aid to Gaza amid severe shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies.

The ministry’s statement also reaffirmed Libya’s rejection of normalisation with Israel, citing decisions issued by the House of Representatives. It called on political and civil forces in countries taking part in the convoy to adopt similar positions in support of Palestinian rights.

Last year, the first Sumud convoy set off from Tunisia towards Libya with broad Maghreb and international participation. It crossed several cities in western Libya before being stopped at the western gate of Sirte by authorities aligned with Haftar, who prevented it from continuing eastwards towards Egypt.

At the time, the authorities cited several reasons for the decision, including the absence of valid Libyan entry visas for some participants. The convoy later withdrew towards western Libya after several organisers were reportedly detained near Sirte.