GNA Says Accepts Negotiations to Find Peaceful Solution to Libya's Crisis

Government of National Accord (GNA) forces (File photo: AFP)
Government of National Accord (GNA) forces (File photo: AFP)
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GNA Says Accepts Negotiations to Find Peaceful Solution to Libya's Crisis

Government of National Accord (GNA) forces (File photo: AFP)
Government of National Accord (GNA) forces (File photo: AFP)

Head of Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj announced accepting to launch negotiations with the leader of Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

Sarraj called for a new road map which includes holding general elections or modifying the controversial Skhirat agreement.

In a surprising statement issued Tuesday, he welcomed all political initiatives that call for a peaceful solution to the current crisis, praising the sacrifices and victories of his forces. He stressed the need to unify the ranks.

Sarraj called upon all parties and political forces to end the division and resume political dialogue, under the auspices of the United Nations. He hoped this would help prepare for the next stage and lead to an agreement on a comprehensive road map and a political path that brings all Libyans together.

Meanwhile, LNA’s 134th Infantry Battalion charged with protecting and securing al-Watiyah base, announced the death of its leader Ousama Msek during an attack launched by the Sarraj forces on the base.

Before his death, Msek said that the enemy had been defeated after trying to advance towards the base from al-Aqrabiyah. The forces thwarted the attack launched by Chadian militia, mercenaries, and Turks on al-Zareer region, west of the base.

He pointed out that violent clashes broke between the army forces and militias.

Later, Volcano of Rage Operation, led by forces loyal to GNA, announced that it killed the commander of al-Watiyah base and took control over an armored military vehicle, and destroyed 10 others, during its attack.

In other news, Audit Bureau in Tripoli announced that one of its employees was kidnapped by armed militias affiliated with GNA’s Interior Ministry.

The Bureau issued a statement saying the director of the General Administration of Financial Supervision of the Public Sector, Reda Qurqab, was kidnapped to prevent him from monitoring some of the ministry's transactions and bank accounts.

The Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha accused the Audit Bureau of political blackmail, asserting the employee was arrested and interrogated. He indicated that the results of the investigation will be presented to the public prosecutor which will reveal “corruption and extortion” practiced by the Bureau.

Bashagha also accused the Bureau of covering corruption over the past years and trying to prevent the ministry from exposing corruption and conducting financial audits.



Gaza's Health Ministry Says the Palestinian Death Toll from the War Has Surpassed 46,000

People search the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike on the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on January 8, 2025 as the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continues. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
People search the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike on the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on January 8, 2025 as the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continues. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
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Gaza's Health Ministry Says the Palestinian Death Toll from the War Has Surpassed 46,000

People search the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike on the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on January 8, 2025 as the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continues. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
People search the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike on the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on January 8, 2025 as the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continues. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza's Health Ministry said Thursday, as the conflict raged into a 16th month with no end in sight.
The ministry said a total of 46,006 Palestinians have been killed and 109,378 wounded. It has said women and children make up more than half the fatalities, but does not say how many of the dead were fighters or civilians, said The Associated Press.
The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. It says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths because the militants operate in residential areas. Israel has also repeatedly struck what it claims are militants hiding in shelters and hospitals, often killing women and children.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza. Israeli authorities believe at least a third of them were killed in the initial attack or have died in captivity.
The war has flattened large areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its 2.3 million people, with many forced to flee multiple times. Hundreds of thousands are packed into sprawling tent camps along the coast with limited access to food and other essentials.
In recent weeks, Israel and Hamas have appeared to inch closer to an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. But the indirect talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt have repeatedly stalled over the past year, and major obstacles remain.