Haftar Vows to Bring ‘Final Battle’ to Turkey

Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar. (AFP)
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Haftar Vows to Bring ‘Final Battle’ to Turkey

Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar. (AFP)

Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar reiterated on Sunday his vow to confront Turkey in what he described as the “final battle”.

During an inspection of the Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade, he also vowed to defeat the mercenaries Ankara has brought in from Syria.

“The groups have no nation, no family and only seek to make money,” he said, while touring the forces’ preparations for the battle for the strategic city of Sirte.

Addressing the troops, he stated: “When you meet them in battle, they will act like mice as they cannot confront you.”

He added that simple observation of the mercenaries on television reveals that they have no fighting experience.

Haftar further slammed Turkey, saying that throughout its 300 rule of Libya, the people have seen nothing from it but evil, looting and murder.

“Even though the Libyan population is the smallest in the region, North Africa in specific, … we know how to expel them. This is the primary objective as we refuse colonization, which was brought about by the Turks when they handed over (Libya) to the Italians,” he continued.

Haftar added that all that remains is “one battle between us and the invaders. We will teach them and observers from afar a lesson.”

Meanwhile, a dispute erupted between Ankara and Rome over an Italian plane’s landing in the western city of Misrata.

The Italian foreign affairs parliamentary committee demanded clarifications from the Italian government after Turkish forces barred an Italian jet from landing in the city. The aircraft was transporting some 40 Italian military personnel.

Sources from the LNA said the incident revealed the extent of Turkey’ military control over Misrata. It accused it of turning the city into a logistic base for its military operations and the management of the GNA and mercenary forces ahead of the battle for Sirte.

Italy has deployed troops to Misrata under the excuse of securing a military hospital it set up to treat wounded members of the GNA forces. The LNA has repeatedly called on Rome to withdraw the troops, accusing it of supporting extremists.



US-backed Gaza Aid Group to Halt Distribution on Wednesday, UN to Vote on Ceasefire Demand 

Israeli shelling hits an area in the northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Israeli shelling hits an area in the northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
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US-backed Gaza Aid Group to Halt Distribution on Wednesday, UN to Vote on Ceasefire Demand 

Israeli shelling hits an area in the northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Israeli shelling hits an area in the northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will not give out any aid on Wednesday as it presses Israel to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its distribution sites, a day after dozens of Palestinians seeking aid were killed.

The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks" near military perimeters; develop clearer guidance for civilians; and enhance training to support civilian safety.

"Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid," said a GHF spokesperson. An Israeli military spokesperson warned civilians against moving in areas leading to GHF sites on Wednesday, deeming them "combat zones".

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it opened fire on a group of people it viewed as a threat near a GHF food aid distribution site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said at least 27 people were killed and dozens injured. The GHF said the incident was "well beyond" its site.

Palestinians who collected food GHF boxes on Tuesday described scenes of pandemonium, with no-one overseeing the handover of supplies or checking IDs, as crowds jostled for aid.

The UN Security Council is also set to vote on Wednesday on a demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas and humanitarian access across Gaza, where aid has trickled amid chaos and bloodshed after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on the enclave where famine looms.

"It is unacceptable. Civilians are risking – and in several instances losing – their lives just trying to get food," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday, adding that the aid distribution model backed by the US and Israel was "all a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what is going on."

That model is run by the newly created GHF, which started operations in the enclave a week ago and said on Tuesday that it has given out more than seven million meals from three so-called secure distribution sites. GHF Interim Executive Director John Acree urged humanitarians in Gaza: "Work with us and we will get your aid delivered to those who are depending on it."

US VETO?

The UN and other aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral and the distribution model militarizes aid. GHF uses private US security and logistics companies to get aid to the distribution sites.

It is the latest in a string of efforts to get more aid into the enclave, where experts say the entire population of some 2.1 million people is at risk of famine. Jordan last year spearheaded humanitarian air drops, while the US briefly installed a floating aid pier, but it was beset by challenges.

The UN has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies.

Israel said on Tuesday that three of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in northern Gaza. Gaza health officials said at least 18 more Palestinians were killed in other military strikes in the territory on Tuesday. Reuters could not independently verify the reports in northern and southern Gaza.

The 10 elected members of the UN Security Council have asked for the 15-member body to vote on Wednesday on a draft resolution that demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties."

The draft text, seen by Reuters, also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of aid and its safe and unhindered distribution, including by the UN, throughout Gaza.

"The time to act has already passed," Slovenia's UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told Reuters. "It is our historical responsibility not to remain silent."

As US President Donald Trump's administration tries to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, it was not immediately clear if Washington would veto the draft text. A spokesperson for the US mission to the UN said: "We cannot preview our actions currently under consideration."

A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France - to pass.

The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, which do not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants.