Libya Studies Action Plan to Scale Up COVID Readiness, Response

Migrants receiving vaccines at a detention center in Tripoli (IOM)
Migrants receiving vaccines at a detention center in Tripoli (IOM)
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Libya Studies Action Plan to Scale Up COVID Readiness, Response

Migrants receiving vaccines at a detention center in Tripoli (IOM)
Migrants receiving vaccines at a detention center in Tripoli (IOM)

Libyan Minister of Health at the Government of National Unity Ali Zanati discussed with a number of officials new policies to be endorsed to scale up preparedness and response capacities against the coronavirus pandemic.

Zanati and the officials discussed procedures and measures adopted by the ministry to stabilize the epidemiological situation.

This came as the National Center for Disease Control continues to vaccinate immigrants at detention camps in Tripoli.

Libya registered 352,000 covid-19 cases and 4,982 deaths since the pandemic began. The total number of recoveries reached 286,000, while 194,000 patients are in critical condition.

Also, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced providing oxygen to Ghat district, southwestern Libya, to back efforts to combat the pandemic.

NOC noted that it also provided oxygen to Al Ajaylat, Jalu, Wadi Otbh, and Ras Lanuf.



Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
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Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

Israel’s defense minister has vowed to prevent an aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists from reaching the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel wouldn't allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he said was aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms.

Thunberg, a climate campaigner is among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel departed Sicily last Sunday on a mission that aims to break the sea blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, while raising awareness over the growing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, The AP news reported.

The activists had said they planned to reach Gaza’s territorial waters as early as Sunday.

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among the others onboard. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

After a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers have warned of famine unless the blockade and the war end.

An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.