LNA Close to Capturing Ras Ajdir Border Crossing from GNA

LNA members equip the military vehicles to get out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya April 13, 2019. (Reuters)
LNA members equip the military vehicles to get out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya April 13, 2019. (Reuters)
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LNA Close to Capturing Ras Ajdir Border Crossing from GNA

LNA members equip the military vehicles to get out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya April 13, 2019. (Reuters)
LNA members equip the military vehicles to get out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya April 13, 2019. (Reuters)

The Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, announced it was close to capturing the Ras Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia from the Government of National Accord (GNA).

“A few kilometers sperate the army from seizing the portal,” said an LNA statement late on Wednesday. Ras Ajdir is the last remaining border crossing outside the army’s control.

Forces loyal to the GNA in the nearby city of Zuwara claimed however, that they were in control of Ras Ajdir, denying that the LNA was advancing on the region. The military said it had captured the region of Bou Kammash, 15 kilometers off Zuwara.

Meanwhile, the LNA’s Tariq bin Ziad brigade announced that it had seized control of the “Riqdalin road” military camp that is used by forces loyal to Osama al-Juwaili, one of the senior GNA military commanders. The Tariq bin Ziad forces also seized the nearby city of Zliten, east of Tripoli, amid cheers from the locals.

The brigade said its forces swept the city and secured it as mercenaries loyal to the GNA fled the area. The capture, therefore clears the path towards Ras Ajdir.

The crossing lies 170 kilometers west of Tripoli and was shut just days ago by Tunisian authorities over fears of the spread of the coronavirus. Ras Ajdir is one of two main crossings between Libya and Tunisia. The other is the Wazin and Dehiba crossing.



Following Netanyahu and Trump Statements… PA Says Holds Onto State, Gaza Rule

This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army vehicles driving in the besieged Palestinian territory on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army vehicles driving in the besieged Palestinian territory on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
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Following Netanyahu and Trump Statements… PA Says Holds Onto State, Gaza Rule

This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army vehicles driving in the besieged Palestinian territory on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army vehicles driving in the besieged Palestinian territory on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said on Tuesday the Israeli plan to block the creation of a Palestinian State and the return of rule to the Gaza Strip, will not succeed.

During the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mustafa stressed that the official Palestinian stance is the embodiment of an independent state.

“The establishment of a Palestinian state requires cooperation under a single political and security system, alongside unified national institutions,” the PM said.

He noted that only through such unity can humanitarian aid effectively reach the people of Gaza and reconstruction efforts commence, ultimately leading to the realization of the long-awaited independent Palestinian state.

Mustafa said Israel is actively opposing this vision by mobilizing all its institutions and agencies to weaken the Palestinian Authority and enforce a financial blockade aimed at preventing it from fulfilling its responsibilities toward the people in Gaza.

Additionally, he said, Israel seeks to block the creation of a Palestinian state, despite widespread international consensus in its favor.

“The Israeli plan will not succeed,” the PM noted, underscoring the resilience of the Palestinian people and their steadfast determination to fulfill their national responsibilities with unwavering strength and resolve.

The Prime Minister also noted that with the growing likelihood of a near ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the government hopes for swift success in these efforts, while emphasizing that preparations are underway to coordinate relief operations and organize a reconstruction conference.

Mustafa spoke after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington that Israel would not allow the establishment of the Palestinian state, and that he was working with several states to push Palestinians from Gaza to other countries.

Also, a senior Israeli official accompanying Netanyahu to the US said that Israel was preparing to assume control of Gaza temporarily.

Day After

In Washington, Netanyahu and Trump discussed what Gaza might look like the “day after” the war with Hamas, according to the Hebrew Maariv newspaper and the Walla website.

Later, an Israeli official made a firm statement saying: “Of course there will be Palestinians, but there will be no Palestinian Authority.”