Tunisia rights group says jailed Gaza flotilla activist near death on hunger strike

September 24, 2026 at 01:56 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Wael Naouar, a Gaza solidarity activist detained in Tunisia, is in critical condition after 39 days of hunger strike, according to the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights. His family and lawyers say authorities have refused to disclose information about his condition. The hunger strike protests charges of financial misconduct against Naouar and three other activists held since March.

Key Facts

Wael Naouar has been hospitalized after 39 days of hunger strike, according to the Gaza Sumud Flotilla organization.
Bassem Trifi, head of the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights, said Naouar is 'in a very critical health condition and on the verge of death'.
Naouar and three other activists—Ghassen Henchiri, Ghassen Boughdiri, and Nabil Channoufi—were arrested in March on charges of misusing funds raised for the Global Sumud Flotilla.
At least 11 people were arrested on Saturday during a protest demanding the release of the jailed activists.
Naouar has lost more than 20kg (44lb) and is suffering from pain throughout his body, according to his lawyer.

Hunger Strike and Hospitalization

Wael Naouar was admitted to hospital more than a month after launching a hunger strike to protest his detention in Tunisia, according to the Gaza Sumud Flotilla organisation. The Gaza Sumud Flotilla said in a statement on X that Naouar is in hospital and Tunisian authorities are refusing to disclose any information with his family or lawyers. The statement added that the activist was on day 39 of his hunger strike and that a judge rejected the appeal against the extension of the Sumud 4's pre-trial detention. Naouar has lost more than 20kg (44lb) and is suffering from pain throughout his body, according to his lawyer. Ghassen Bouaazi, a member of the National Committee for the Defence of Sumud Flotilla Activists, said Naouar has recently experienced repeated fainting, difficulty breathing and hallucinations.

Detention and Charges

Naouar and three other activists—Ghassen Henchiri, Ghassen Boughdiri, and Nabil Channoufi—were arrested in March after being accused of misusing funds raised for the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international campaign seeking to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza. None of the activists have been convicted of an offence, but remain under investigation over alleged 'suspicious financial flows'. The Gaza-bound flotilla set sail last September and was intercepted by Israel, which then detained and deported the activists to Tunisia. A Human Rights Watch report said it had documented what it described as the 'weaponisation' of financial and criminal investigations by Tunisian authorities against civil society activists.

Protests and Public Response

On Saturday, at least 11 people were arrested in Tunisia after participating in a protest demanding the release of the jailed activists. Bassem Trifi, the head of the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LTDH), on Wednesday said Naouar was 'in a very critical health condition and on the verge of death'. A prison spokesperson did not immediately comment on Naouar's case and condition.