Egyptian Delegation Inspects Libya’s Airports to Resume Direct Flights

A delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation inspects Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi (Libya’s Airports Authority)
A delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation inspects Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi (Libya’s Airports Authority)
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Egyptian Delegation Inspects Libya’s Airports to Resume Direct Flights

A delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation inspects Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi (Libya’s Airports Authority)
A delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation inspects Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi (Libya’s Airports Authority)

A delegation from Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry is expected to complete its mission to inspect Libya’s main airports ahead of the resumption of direct flights to Cairo International Airport.

Their mission came following the meeting of the Libyan-Egyptian Joint Consulate which agreed to facilitate travel between the two countries.

Libya’s Airports Authority said the delegation inspected on Wednesday Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi.

Its members were received by delegates from the Libyan aviation and airports departments, in addition to representatives from the Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways.

The delegation was briefed on the security procedures and measures taken at the Benina Airport.

An official in Libya’s Airports Authority told Asharq Al-Awsat that the delegation noticed a commitment to implement internationally followed security and safety measures.

The delegation has also visited Mitiga and Misrata international airports.

On March 2, 2020, the Egyptian authorities granted Libyan Airlines an exceptional permission to land at Cairo Airport.

Then Foreign Minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord Mohamed Taher Siala was on board the flight to take part in a regular meeting for the Arab League.

Flights from Libya to Egypt could only land at Borg El Arab International Airport in Alexandria.



Hamas Says 33 Hostages Killed in Course of War in Gaza

Israeli soldiers play football near tanks and armored personnel carrier (APC), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, June 2, 2024. (Reuters)
Israeli soldiers play football near tanks and armored personnel carrier (APC), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, June 2, 2024. (Reuters)
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Hamas Says 33 Hostages Killed in Course of War in Gaza

Israeli soldiers play football near tanks and armored personnel carrier (APC), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, June 2, 2024. (Reuters)
Israeli soldiers play football near tanks and armored personnel carrier (APC), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, June 2, 2024. (Reuters)

Hamas said on Monday that 33 hostages in Gaza had been killed during the almost 14-month-old war between the Palestinian group and Israel in the enclave, without giving their nationalities.

Hamas added that other hostages had gone missing.

"With the continuation of your crazy war," it said in a statement addressed to Israel, "you could lose your hostages forever. Do what you have to do before it is too late."

Hamas shortly afterward published a video it said detailed when and how the hostages had been killed, blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their fate.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment, which came as Israeli military strikes continued in Gaza.

Hamas has called for an end to the war and total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of any deal to release remaining hostages. Netanyahu has said the war will go on until Hamas is eradicated and poses no more threat to Israel.

Israel launched its war after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's military offensive has killed more than 44,400 Palestinians and displaced most of Gaza's population, Gaza officials say. Vast swathes of the enclave lie in ruins.

The Israeli military said Monday an Israeli American soldier who was believed to have been taken hostage alive on Oct. 7, 2023, is now presumed to have been killed during Hamas’ attack and his body taken into Gaza.  

Neutra, 21, was a New York native who enlisted in the Israeli military and was captured when Hamas attacked southern Israel.  

Neutra’s parents, Ronen and Orna, led a public campaign while he was thought to be alive for their son’s freedom. They spoke at protests in the US and Israel, addressed the Republican National Convention this year and kept up ties with the Biden administration in their crusade to secure their son’s release.  

In a statement announcing the death, the military did not say how it came to the conclusion over Neutra’s fate.  

He was one of seven American Israelis still held in Gaza, four of whom are now said to be dead. Hamas released a video of one, Edan Alexander, over the weekend, indicating he was still alive.  

In late summer, Hamas killed Hersh Goldberg-Polin, another prominent Israeli American hostage, along with five other captives, whose bodies the Israeli military recovered.