LNA Makes Advances in Southern Libya, Nears Tripoli

The LNA was one step close to capturing southern Libya. (AFP)
The LNA was one step close to capturing southern Libya. (AFP)
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LNA Makes Advances in Southern Libya, Nears Tripoli

The LNA was one step close to capturing southern Libya. (AFP)
The LNA was one step close to capturing southern Libya. (AFP)

The Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, was on the verge of capturing Sabha after Government National Accord (GNA) forces surprisingly withdrew from the southern city.

A military official told Asharq Al-Awsat that it was “only a matter of time” before the LNA imposes its control over the South.

The operation it is waging is going according to plan, he said on condition of anonymity.

The move would put the LNA one step closer to GNA-held Tripoli.

Commander of the GNA’s sixth infantry unit, Ahmed al-Ataybi, had accused head of the government, Fayez al-Sarraj, of not providing enough support to his forces, prompting their surprise withdrawal.

Moreover, the source predicted that clashes may erupt between extremists and some members of the al-Toubou tribes.

Meanwhile, the LNA denied that it was biased towards any social segment in the South.

Spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said Saturday that claims of bias are aimed at “stoking strife between the people and legitimate authorities.”

His remarks appear to be in response to media and activists’ circulation of videos that show LNA forces using racial slurs against the residents of Sabha and neighboring areas.

The videos sparked the ire of the Toubou tribes, which make up the bulk of the South’s population, especially Sabha.

The tribes denied claims that they were supporting and harboring Chadian opposition groups, but said that they enjoy social and historic bonds with Chad and Niger.



Aid to Gaza 'Facing Total Collapse', Warn 12 NGOs

 A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
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Aid to Gaza 'Facing Total Collapse', Warn 12 NGOs

 A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)

The humanitarian aid system in Gaza is "facing total collapse" because of Israel's blockade on aid supplies since March 2, the heads of 12 major aid organizations warned Thursday, urging Israel to let them "do our jobs".

Israel has vowed to maintain its blockage on humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged territory, saying it is the only way to force Hamas to release the 58 hostages still held there.

"Every single person in Gaza is relying on humanitarian aid to survive," the chief executives of 12 NGOs, including Oxfam and Save the Children, wrote in a joint statement.

"That lifeline has been completely cut off since a blockade on all aid supplies was imposed by Israeli authorities on March 2," they said, adding that "This is one of the worst humanitarian failures of our generation."

A survey of 43 international and Palestinian aid organizations working in Gaza found that almost all have suspended or drastically cut services since a ceasefire ended on March 18, "with widespread and indiscriminate bombing making it extremely dangerous to move around", the NGOs said.

"Famine is not just a risk, but likely rapidly unfolding in almost all parts of Gaza," they said. "Survival itself is now slipping out of reach and the humanitarian system is at breaking point."

"We call on all parties to guarantee the safety of our staff and to allow the safe, unfettered access of aid into and across Gaza through all entry points, and for world leaders to oppose further restrictions."

Israel's renewed assault has killed at least 1,691 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, bringing the overall toll since the war erupted to 51,065, most of them civilians.

Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.