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Italy Says It Supports Bathily’s Efforts to Hold Elections in Libya

Illegal migrants arrive by boat at a naval base after they were rescued by the Libyan coastguard in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, May 10, 2017.
Illegal migrants arrive by boat at a naval base after they were rescued by the Libyan coastguard in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, May 10, 2017.
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Italy Says It Supports Bathily’s Efforts to Hold Elections in Libya

Illegal migrants arrive by boat at a naval base after they were rescued by the Libyan coastguard in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, May 10, 2017.
Illegal migrants arrive by boat at a naval base after they were rescued by the Libyan coastguard in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, May 10, 2017.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani affirmed on Tuesday his country's support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy Abdoullaye Bathily to hold elections in Libya.

Tajani said in a press conference at the Foreign Press Association in Italy that his country supports the efforts of the UN envoy to allow holding elections as soon as possible, and to achieve stability.

The FM affirmed that Italy has also initiated talks with all Libyan parties, including Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar, “who controls a large part of the east,” according to the Nova Agency.

“We are providing patrol boats to the Libyan Coast Guard to fight illegal migration,” he said.

The boats were offered thanks to a fund by the European Union, according to Tajani.

The two countries have also reached agreements in the field of energy, the FM affirmed, adding that Rome “is intensively working with all parties in this severely divided country.”

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Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
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Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)

The Israeli military said Wednesday that troops have recovered the body of a hostage held in Gaza and were examining whether another body recovered was also that of a captive.

Earlier, Israel's defense minister said that troops recovered the bodies of two hostages.

The military said the body of Yosef Al Zaydani was brought to Israel on Tuesday after being discovered in an underground tunnel near the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It said troops uncovered information about Al Zaydani's son Hamzah that "raised serious concerns for his life."

Military spokesman Col. Nadav Shoshani said the military was looking into the identity of a second set of remains recovered.

Al Zaydani and his son were taken captive during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023, among 250 hostages snatched by the group during its cross-border raid.

Israel believes a third of the remaining 100 hostages are dead.

The body's recovery comes as Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire deal that would free the hostages and halt the fighting in Gaza.

However, Yosef and Hamzah Al Zaydani were believed to still be alive and their return could ramp up the pressure on Israel to move ahead on a deal.

Yosef Al Zaydani's name was on a list of 34 hostages shared by a Hamas official with The Associated Press that the group said were slated for release.

Many families of hostages say the continuation of the war in Gaza puts the lives of the remaining hostages at risk. They have demanded throughout the conflict that Israel reaches a deal with Hamas to free their loved ones.