Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah issued a sharp condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza during high-level talks with U.S. officials in Tripoli this week, calling for urgent international intervention to address deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the besieged enclave. During a meeting with Massad Boulos, the U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa and the Middle East, Dbeibah described the situation in Gaza as a crisis marked by “crimes, starvation, and ongoing aggression,” according to a statement from Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Unity.
The Libyan leader stressed the need for an “immediate end to the aggression” and urged the lifting of Israel’s blockade, which has severely restricted access to food, water, and medical supplies for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. His remarks align with growing global concern over the risk of famine in the territory, where experts warn acute malnutrition rates have surged since Israel began its military offensive in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack. That assault, which Hamas-led militants carried out, killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel—mostly civilians—and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza.
Israel’s subsequent air and ground campaign has led to at least 59,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which reports that women and children account for over half these fatalities. While the ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths, United Nations agencies regard its data as credible. Israeli officials maintain their military operations target Hamas infrastructure and argue sufficient aid reaches Gaza, though they acknowledge challenges in distribution. United Nations aid groups, however, cite persistent bottlenecks due to ongoing fighting, Israeli inspections, and collapsing security within the enclave.
The talks in Tripoli underscore Libya’s increasingly vocal stance on the conflict despite its own internal political divisions. Dbeibah’s government, recognized by the UN but contested domestically, has positioned itself as an advocate for Palestinians, reflecting broader Arab world sentiment. The meeting with Boulos also signals tentative diplomatic engagement between Libya and the U.S., which has faced criticism for its continued military support to Israel amid rising civilian casualties.
Humanitarian organizations emphasize that Gaza’s healthcare system has been decimated, with hospitals repeatedly struck and medical supplies dwindling. A recent UN report warned that 1.1 million people in Gaza face “catastrophic levels of food insecurity,” with children disproportionately affected by malnutrition-related illnesses. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations remain stalled, and over 1.7 million displaced Palestinians endure overcrowded shelters with limited access to basic sanitation.
As international pressure mounts for a resolution, the Libyan government’s intervention highlights the deepening regional ramifications of a conflict now entering its ninth month.
