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Libya’s LNA, GNA Agree to Prisoner Exchange

Libyans are seen in the old city of Tripoli, Libya. (Reuters)
Libyans are seen in the old city of Tripoli, Libya. (Reuters)
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Libya’s LNA, GNA Agree to Prisoner Exchange

Libyans are seen in the old city of Tripoli, Libya. (Reuters)
Libyans are seen in the old city of Tripoli, Libya. (Reuters)

The Libyan joint military committee (5+5) reached an agreement on a prisoner exchange between the Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, and Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Fayez al-Sarraj, revealed a prominent official from the military.

Khaled Mahjoub said the committee, which convened this week, has raised its recommendations to the United Nations Security Council and will begin arrangements as soon as possible to hold the swap.

The GNA is committed to the deal, despite the objections of some militias, he said.

The committee, which includes officers from the LNA and GNA, had in October agreed to a ceasefire in the country.

The British embassy in Libya, as co-chair of this group, applauded the progress the Joint Military Commission has made.

Separately, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) hailed the large consultative session of the House of Representatives that was held in Tangiers in Morocco.

“We hope the House of Representatives will fulfill the Libyan people's expectations for implementation of the roadmap agreed upon by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum towards the holding of national elections on December 24, 2021,” it tweeted.

“That such a diverse range of Parliamentarians from Libya's three regions is meeting under one roof is a positive and welcome step,” it added.

In Libya, meanwhile, GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, and in another attempt to burnish his credentials to succeed Sarraj, alleged that he was victim of a failed assassination attempt.

In remarks to local radio, he accused some officers from inside his ministry of being involved, revealing that they have since been arrested and referred to the judiciary.

The minister did not reveal the time or location of the alleged attempt against his life, but said it took place when the GNA was waging its counter operation against the LNA offensive against Tripoli.

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Clerics Accuse West Bank Israeli Settlers of Attacking Christian Sites

Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
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Clerics Accuse West Bank Israeli Settlers of Attacking Christian Sites

Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)

Christian leaders accused Israeli settlers on Monday of attacking sacred sites in the West Bank, in violence that one said was forcing some to consider quitting the occupied territory.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III - visiting the Christian town of Taybeh with other Jerusalem-based clerics - said settlers had started a fire near a cemetery and a 5th century church there last week.

"These actions are a direct and intentional threat to our local community ... but also to the historic and religious heritage," the patriarch told diplomats and journalists at a press conference in Taybeh.

Settlers had also attacked homes in the area, he said.

"We call for an immediate and transparent investigation on why the Israeli police did not respond to emergency calls from the local community and why these abhorrent actions continue to go unpunished," he added.

Israel's government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Israel's government had previously said that any acts of violence by civilians are unacceptable and that individuals should not take the law into their own hands.

During the visit, the heads of the churches led locals in prayer as candles flickered in the ruins of the 5th century church of St George. They spoke with residents who described their fears.

B'Tselem and other rights groups say settler violence in the West Bank has risen since the start of Israel's war against Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza in late 2023.

Dozens of Israelis have also been killed in Palestinian street attacks in recent years and the Israeli military has intensified raids across the West Bank.

Palestinian health authorities and witnesses said two men, including a US citizen, were killed by settlers during a confrontation on Friday night.

Fears over violence were pushing Christians to leave the West Bank, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Roman Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, said.

"Unfortunately, the temptation to emigrate is there because of the situation," he added. "This time it's very difficult to see how and when this will finish, and especially for the youth to talk about hope, trust for the future."

Around 50,000 Christian Palestinians live in Jerusalem and in the West Bank, an area that includes many of the faith's most sacred sites including Bethlehem where believers say Jesus was born.

Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 war, which Palestinians see as part of a future state.