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Libya Increases Random Testing to Combat COVID-19

Libyans wearing protective face masks queue in front of a bank in the center of the capital Tripoli amid the coronavirus pandemic. (File photo: AFP)
Libyans wearing protective face masks queue in front of a bank in the center of the capital Tripoli amid the coronavirus pandemic. (File photo: AFP)
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Libya Increases Random Testing to Combat COVID-19

Libyans wearing protective face masks queue in front of a bank in the center of the capital Tripoli amid the coronavirus pandemic. (File photo: AFP)
Libyans wearing protective face masks queue in front of a bank in the center of the capital Tripoli amid the coronavirus pandemic. (File photo: AFP)

Libyan medical authorities have increased random COVID-19 testing and sample collection, hoping it will help curb the spread of the virus, mainly in the capital which has the highest rate of infections.

The number of coronavirus cases is increasing rapidly in Libya, compared to the number of tests conducted daily, at a time when dozens of citizens refuse to declare their positive results, according to medical sources.

The National Center for Disease Control announced Wednesday that 13 of its laboratories had received 2,815 testing samples from over 33 cities and municipalities around the country.

It indicated that 529 samples came back positive, 270 of which are located in Tripoli.

The country’s total number of coronavirus reached 75,465, including 28,285 active cases, while 46,127 recovered and 1,053 died, announced the Center.

It explained that laboratories received fewer numbers of testing samples, resulting in the drop of cases during the past 24 hours, pointing out that occasional power outages in some cities also affect the number of samples tested.

The Center posted a video showing Tripoli municipality conducting random testing and taking swabs from citizens, as part of its campaign to detect virus outbreak.

Head of campaign, Atallah Soleiman Gharibeh, said in a press statement that the campaign is working all the time to spread awareness among citizens on the need to adhere to the precautions.

Meanwhile, Zliten Medical Center, to the west of Libya, stated Tuesday that it had opened another isolation center after the first one became full, as the cases continue to rise in the area.

In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) spokesman in Libya, Ahmad Saad, announced the arrival of a shipment of personal protective equipment, medicines for chronic diseases, and an oxygen ventilator to al-Qubbah Hospital, in eastern Libya.

The Benghazi Medical Center launched a campaign for seasonal influenza vaccination targeting the most vulnerable groups, along with medical teams and assisting teams who are in direct contact with patients, namely those infected with COVID-19.

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Israel Using Developments in Sweida to Keep its New Occupation in Syria

Israeli troops patrol the border fence with Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on July 23, 2025. (AFP)
Israeli troops patrol the border fence with Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on July 23, 2025. (AFP)
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Israel Using Developments in Sweida to Keep its New Occupation in Syria

Israeli troops patrol the border fence with Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on July 23, 2025. (AFP)
Israeli troops patrol the border fence with Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on July 23, 2025. (AFP)

The Israeli government is using the armed clashes in Sweida to establish a new form of control in southern Syria, political sources in Tel Aviv told the Israel Hayom newspaper.

“The government claims its presence in Sweida is vital for Israel's security and for the protection of the Druze and a source of stability in southern Syria,” the sources said.

According to the newspaper, which is aligned with the hardline government, the US administration is aware of Israel’s role and is cooperating with the government in Tel Aviv to carry out a hostage deal between Druze and Bedouin groups in Syria.

“In recent days, an unnamed senior Israeli official has been involved in prisoner swap talks between Druze and Bedouin groups in Syria, aiming to free hundreds of captives from both sides,” the newspaper reported.

Israel is communicating with the Druze, while American mediators are talking to the Bedouins and the Syrian government, it revealed.

The recent violence in Sweida, where Druze were attacked, strengthens Israel’s view that it needs to control a buffer zone in Syria, Israel Hayom wrote.

“This is to prevent Islamist groups from targeting Israeli communities, especially since Israel’s intelligence didn’t foresee the recent attacks.”

It said the need for buffer zones along all Israeli borders has become a key security concern since the October 7, 2023, attacks.

“Israel’s main goal is to reduce tensions in Syria, though any calm is likely to be temporary,” high-ranking Israeli officials told the newspaper.

The officials also argue that the violence in Sweida highlights the need for Israel to maintain a military presence in the buffer zones, which Israeli forces controlled last December.

They noted that Israeli intelligence had no advance warning that hostile forces - first Syrian regime elements, then Bedouin fighters - were planning to attack the Druze.

Therefore, the sources said, it is still unconfirmed that Israel has information about “Islamist” factions trying to reach an Israeli town.

“We will not risk waiting for things to happen, and we must always act proactively, so as not to fall victim again,” they said.

In recent days, several Israeli officials have been making threats against Syria.

During the rare “multi-front situational assessment” at the Glilot intelligence base — the first of its kind in nearly two years — Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the army “is required to operate offensively on multiple fronts alongside vital defense in each sector and on the borders,” adding that the Israeli forces will “continue to preserve air superiority and advance the intelligence effort.”

Meanwhile, the Syria TV channel said that “an Israeli occupation patrol of three vehicles infiltrated on Wednesday morning into the Sayda Al-Hanout town in southern Quneitra countryside.”

Local sources said the Israeli forces advanced toward the village, set up a temporary checkpoint on the main road, and deployed around a former Syrian military site in the area.