Ten detainees, including UT graduate Jenelle Jones, have been released and deported from Benghazi, Libya after being detained on May 24, 2026.

The group of volunteers traveled with Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international humanitarian group, in an attempt to deliver food and medical supplies to Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. According to the group’s website, its goal was to deliver humanitarian aid, establish a solidarity corridor and provide specialist support for Palestinian-led reconstruction of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure.

An avid traveler and activist, Jones had spent the past year traveling in a camper van and attending protests along the way. She saw the call for participants and applied through Instagram. 

In an interview with the Status Coup News podcast, Jones said the group was transparent about the possibility of interception and did its best to prepare participants for possible conflicts. She said some participants had previously been captured during similar attempts, including one person who was shot during a prior interception.

“All we can do is the best we can to try and prepare ourselves,” Jones said.

She said that organizers were learning from previous attempts and improving their plans. 

“They’re taking what happened last year, what went wrong, what were the problems and the setbacks, and hopefully turning it into a success,” Jones said. “There’s a lot more planning and strategy happening this year.”

She described how the “aggressive” and “extreme” efforts to intercept such aid demonstrate the power and impact of their work. 

“The interceptions really go to show how powerful what we’re doing is. If it wasn’t powerful, if it wasn’t meaningful, if it wasn’t going to do something, they wouldn’t try to stop it,” Jones said. “They don’t want these movements to grow.”

In one of her final Facebook posts before detainment, shared four days before their departure, Jones reflected on the meaning behind her participation. 

“This may very well be the craziest thing I’ve ever done in my life – will ever do in my life. But this isn’t about me. It’s about being a part of something bigger,” she said.  

On May 15, 2026, the convoy departed with seven ambulances, 20 mobile homes, 10 aid trucks and over 200 participants from more than 25 countries.

Nine days later, on May 24, 2026, their mission was intercepted by the Libyan Arab Armed Forces and eastern Libyan authorities during an attempted negotiation to secure safe passage for the convoy. Near Sirte, 10 delegates volunteered to cross into the 5+5 security zone to negotiate passage.

According to Global Sumud Flotilla’s official press release, the 10 teachers, doctors and journalists were taken into three unmarked white vans and later forced onto an aircraft under the belief they were being deported for entering the zone without authorization. Instead, they were transferred and held at an isolated secret site controlled by the Internal Security Agency (ISA).  GSF described this isolated, non-civilian prison complex as a “black site.”

On May 28, 2026, GSF confirmed that the 10 negotiators were detained. The organization said the group was unarmed and did not stray from the previously agreed process to communicate with local authorities, which GSF described as a violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.

A friend of Jones, Amanda Irizarry, shared daily updates on the situation through Facebook. Family members shared photos of Jones, and support groups posted flyers demanding her release. 

On June 4, 2026, 12 days into her detention, Irizarry received information from Jones about the conditions the detainees were facing. She described medical concerns among the group, including instances of low blood sugar and seizures. The detainees were given no clear explanation regarding their detainment and were denied access to family members and legal counsel.

“She described both physical and mental health conditions among the group as deteriorating due to isolation, uncertainty, and lack of information,” the post explained. 

A GSF press release on June 4, 2026, revealed that the detainees were participating in a “dry” hunger strike, refusing food and water as a form of protest against their treatment. It further described the group’s forced isolation and alleged manipulation. 

Irizarry continued posting updates and searching for new information. Some days there were none, making for another day of waiting for family, friends and supporters. 

“This isn’t just some headline or random story I’m following. Jenelle is someone I care about. A lot,” she said on day 13.

On day 18, Irizarry shared that she was able to speak with Jones for a second time, this time by phone.

“It reminded me she is real, she is strong, and she is still holding on. It reignited the fire in me and reminded me exactly why I’m showing up, speaking out, and advocating every day,” the post said. 

On day 23, Irizarry shared a personal reflection of Jones’ gregarious and compassionate personality, asking viewers to send her photos, memories, and stories of Jones that she could share with others. 

“Jenelle has built friendships and touched lives all over the world, and I want people to understand just how connected she is to the communities and people she has met along the way,” she said. 

On day 26, Irizarry was able to speak with Jones again and read her the stories and messages that had been sent. Jones thanked supporters for their encouragement.

On day 31, Irizarry received the most hopeful update yet. A public report stated that the attorney general in Benghazi had begun the deportation of the detained convoy members. 

Shortly after, four of the convoy members were safely flown to the Tunis-Carthage Airport and welcomed by members of the Tunisian Global Sumud Flotilla delegation. 

“Seeing them free brings so much hope tonight,” Irizarry shared. 

Jones and the six remaining detainees continued waiting while their transportation was arranged. On June 24, 2026, they were flown safely to Istanbul, Turkey. 

“I have been awake since 3:00 a.m. watching their flight like it was the season finale of a trashy reality show, tracking every movement and waiting for that plane to land safely,” Irizarry shared. 

The news brought an emotional end to a weeks-long period of uncertainty and restless advocacy for the detainees.

“I don’t even have the words yet,” Irizarry stated. “I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, relieved, and so incredibly grateful.”

Jones commented on the post, a true testament to their friendship. 

“Thank you,” she said. “If you’re ever in a black site, I got you, boo.” She is now making it back home, where she will be reunited with her dog Phoebe. 

After she landed, a short interview was conducted with Jones by the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, a humanitarian organization based in Turkey. 

Despite the hardships she faced, Jenelle remained focused.

“We constantly were lied to and manipulated. They kept the lights on all night in our cells, and we went to solitary at one point,” Jones said. “But it does not compare to what is happening to the Palestinians.”

Grateful to be home, she recognized the awareness her experience could bring. 

“We are very relieved to be out and to be helping to draw attention to the cause in Gaza,” she said. “Free Palestine.” 

In its most recent press release, GSF provided further details about the detainment, alleging that detainees were blindfolded when removed from their cells and forced to sign legal documents without knowing their contents or without access to legal counsel.

They also reminded supporters that the fight is not over. The organization said it will continue advocating for the volunteers’ human rights, seeking legal accountability for the actions of Libyan authorities and raising awareness of the “Greater Israel” doctrine and continued suffering in Palestine.

“While we welcome their safety, let this be absolutely clear: there will be no quiet exit, no amnesia, and no normalization of the lawless brutality inflicted upon these peaceful human rights defenders,” it stated.