Libya Warns of Surge in COVID-19 Infections

Doctors in Kabaw treat an infant infected with the coronavirus. (Kabaw municipal council)
Doctors in Kabaw treat an infant infected with the coronavirus. (Kabaw municipal council)
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Libya Warns of Surge in COVID-19 Infections

Doctors in Kabaw treat an infant infected with the coronavirus. (Kabaw municipal council)
Doctors in Kabaw treat an infant infected with the coronavirus. (Kabaw municipal council)

Libyan authorities have warned on Saturday of a surge in COVID-19 infections as new cases were confirmed among children and infants.

In the meantime, citizens are still awaiting the arrival of vaccines that have not been delivered on time according to the pledges of the outgoing Government of National Accord (GNA).

The Medical Advisory Committee to Combat the Coronavirus in al-Wahat, southwestern Libya, urged citizens to adhere to the preventative measures in order to stem the spread of the pandemic amid a wave of panic among them over the quick transmission of the virus and the increased number of deaths.

The committee attributed this increase to the people’s non-compliance with precautions. It warned that the surge would continue if they failed to respect health regulations.

Meanwhile, the northwestern Kabaw municipality launched a campaign on Friday to test infants and children between the ages of one month and 18 years in an effort to curb the outbreak in the area after it recorded a number of infections in this age category.

Local authorities warned that the second wave of the pandemic was more severe than the first and that people of all ages have not been spared from it.

The GNA had struck agreements for the delivery of 12 million vaccine shots that should have arrived in the country in late March, but the shipments have been delayed.

Head of the new Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdulhamid Dbeibeh pledged to quickly provide the jabs “no matter the cost,” stressing that his government has set this issue as a priority.



Israeli Police Say 4 Arrested in Settler Attack on Palestinians

A Palestinian man stands near a vehicle destroyed during an Israeli settlers' attack in the village of Jeit, near Qalqilya in the Israeli-occupied West Bank August 16, 2024. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
A Palestinian man stands near a vehicle destroyed during an Israeli settlers' attack in the village of Jeit, near Qalqilya in the Israeli-occupied West Bank August 16, 2024. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
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Israeli Police Say 4 Arrested in Settler Attack on Palestinians

A Palestinian man stands near a vehicle destroyed during an Israeli settlers' attack in the village of Jeit, near Qalqilya in the Israeli-occupied West Bank August 16, 2024. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
A Palestinian man stands near a vehicle destroyed during an Israeli settlers' attack in the village of Jeit, near Qalqilya in the Israeli-occupied West Bank August 16, 2024. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta

The Israeli police and internal security service said Thursday they arrested four suspects for "terrorist" acts against Palestinians during a deadly settler attack last week on an occupied West Bank village.
Settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank have soared since war began in the Gaza Strip last October, according to the United Nations.
"Overnight, the (Shin Bet security service) and Israeli Police arrested four individuals, three adults and a minor, suspected in several acts of terrorism against Palestinians," the security agencies said in a statement.
These incidents included "the severe riots on Thursday (August 15) in the village of Jit", in the north of the occupied West Bank, the statement said, adding an investigation is ongoing.
Residents have said about 100 settlers armed with knives and firearms set fire to cars and homes in the attack strongly condemned by Israeli officials as well as the United States, United Nations and European countries.
A police spokesman told AFP that "all the events" the suspects were arrested for took place in Jit "on the same day".
According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli settlers killed a 23-year-old Palestinian man in the August 15 attack.
Since Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in Gaza, violence has flared in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967 and separated geographically from Gaza by Israeli territory.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, and the United Nations considers them an obstacle to peace with Palestinians.
Since October 7, at least 640 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli troops or settlers, according to an AFP count based on Palestinian official figures.
During the same period, at least 19 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks, according to Israeli official figures.
On Monday during a visit to Israel, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he wanted "to see action taken" to prevent settler violence, and for accountability.