Tripoli Becomes Military Base amid Fears of War in Libya

Joint forces of the interim government at the closed Tripoli airport (AFP)
Joint forces of the interim government at the closed Tripoli airport (AFP)
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Tripoli Becomes Military Base amid Fears of War in Libya

Joint forces of the interim government at the closed Tripoli airport (AFP)
Joint forces of the interim government at the closed Tripoli airport (AFP)

The Libyan capital, Tripoli, turned into a military base amid fears of war between the militias supported by Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, head of the interim government, and fighters backed by parliament-appointed Fathi Bashagha, who chairs the unity cabinet.

The commander of the western military region, Major General Osama al-Juwaili, said that he refuses to negotiate with armed factions affiliated with Dbeibeh, demanding their unconditional withdrawal of from the government headquarters.

Local media also quoted a source from the Bashagha government asserting that its forces will not initiate the use of force.

He noted that the goal of this unit is to secure the government headquarters to enable the cabinet to carry out its tasks.

Meanwhile, media sources said that several leaders loyal to Dbeibeh activated what was known as the "Tripoli Military Council," coinciding with the movements of troops to secure the entrances and exits of the city and block the roads leading to Tripoli's closed airport.

Anadolu Agency quoted a military source affiliated with the Dbeibeh government as saying that military forces were deployed in the southern regions of Tripoli.

Furthermore, the Libyan Human Rights Committee said it is following with great concern the armed mobilization in various areas of Tripoli and its suburbs, which threatens a new escalation of violence and armed clashes.

The committee warned that this would significantly threaten the security, safety, and life of civilians and their property in the capital.

The Libyan Crimes Watch organization called for ending all military preparations in the vicinity of Tripoli, urging all parties to end all forms of escalation.

The United Nations voiced concern over the situation in Libya and called on all concerned parties to consider the interests of the Libyan people.

"We're watching with concern the developments in Libya, including the mobilization of forces, the threats of resorting to force for political aims," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

It is essential that there is de-escalation and that everyone keeps in mind the needs of the Libyan people: political harmony and peace, he said. "Nobody wants to see anything go backward."

The United Nations Libya Mission (UNSMIL) warned Friday that armed groups in the sensitive region of Sirte were preventing civilians from accessing vital services.

UNSMIL said it had “received worrying reports that these restrictions are preventing access by civilians to hospitals, schools, shops, and other essential facilities.”

It added that civilian freedom of movement should be restored and called “for the release of all arbitrarily detained individuals.”



Israeli Strikes Kill 14 in Gaza and Destroy Heavy Equipment Needed to Clear Rubble 

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israeli Strikes Kill 14 in Gaza and Destroy Heavy Equipment Needed to Clear Rubble 

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)

Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and destroyed bulldozers and other heavy equipment that had been supplied by mediators to clear rubble. A separate strike in Lebanon on Tuesday killed a member of a local group.

Israel's 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, raising fears that much of it may never be rebuilt. The territory already had a shortage of heavy equipment, which is also needed to rescue people from the rubble after Israeli strikes and to clear vital roads.

A municipality in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza said a strike on its parking garage destroyed nine bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire that took hold in January. Israel ended the truce last month, renewing its bombardment and ground operations and sealing the territory's 2 million Palestinians off from all imports, including food, fuel and medical supplies.

The strikes also destroyed a water tanker and a mobile generator provided by aid groups, and a truck used to pump sewage, the Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality said.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. The military says it only targets fighters and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the group operates in densely populated areas.

Israeli strikes kill 14, mostly children

An Israeli airstrike early Tuesday destroyed a multistory home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing nine people, including four women and four children, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included a 2-year-old girl and her parents.

“They were asleep, sleeping in God’s peace. They had nothing to do with anything,” said Awad Dahliz, the slain girl's grandfather. “What is the fault of this innocent child?”

A separate strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp killed three children and their parents, according to the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service.

Israel's air and ground war has killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 fighters, without providing evidence.

The war began when Hamas-led gunmen attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage. They are still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Hamas has said it will only free the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Israel has said it will keep fighting until the hostages are returned and Hamas has been either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. It has pledged to hold onto so-called security zones in Gaza indefinitely.