Libyans raise Gaza aid through mosques

Volunteers in the Libyan city of Misrata have initiated a grassroots fundraising campaign to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The campaign, organized by the Misrata Municipal Council and the Libyan Red Crescent Society, saw volunteers positioning donation boxes outside mosques during Friday prayers, encouraging worshippers to contribute as an act of solidarity with the people of Gaza.

The campaign comes in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in significant devastation in the Gaza Strip. Israel has cut off most aid supplies to the enclave, leading to a threat of imminent famine, as warned by the United Nations.

In a heartfelt display of support, Libyans took to the streets of Misrata, with children holding empty food containers to symbolize the dire situation in Gaza. The local fundraising effort is part of a broader, nationwide movement in Libya aimed at providing essential aid to Palestinians affected by the conflict.

This grassroots initiative complements larger-scale humanitarian missions from Libya. In March 2024, a ship carrying over 1,200 tons of aid departed from Misrata to the Gaza Strip, organized by the Misrata municipality and the Libyan Red Crescent. Additionally, in February 2025, Libya prepared a second aid shipment comprising approximately 4,000 tons of supplies, including food and medicine, destined for Gaza.

These collective efforts by volunteers, local organizations, and governmental bodies in Libya underscore the deep-rooted support within Libyan civil society for the Palestinian cause. The fundraising campaign and the delivery of aid shipments to Gaza demonstrate a unified commitment to providing relief and assistance to those in need.