11/01/2025

Introduction

On 6 September 2024, at 8:30 PM, AbdulHamid Khateeb, a Syrian residing in Lebanon, departed from Beirut Airport, intending to travel irregularly to Italy via Libya. His journey began with a flight to Cairo Airport, where he had a 12-hour transit, and he then arrived at Mitiga Airport in Libya on 7 September 2024.

After arriving in Benghazi, he stayed in a hotel for one night. The following evening, he took a taxi to Tripoli, reaching the city on 8 September 2024. Abu Khaled (Mohamed Khamis Al-Khidr) later transported him, along with 45 others, to a farm and a residence. Upon arrival, Khateeb was surprised by the large gathering of individuals preparing for a similar journey. The group was scheduled to travel to the Italian island of Lampedusa aboard a fiberglass boat. However, the engines provided were substandard, and the group was given only one phone for communication.

The boat carried 26 passengers, including the crew. Among the passengers were 4 women, 2 boys, a woman with a child, and the rest were young men. The boat’s driver was Sudanese, assisted by an Egyptian crew member.

Timeline of Case:

On the evening of 1 October 2024, in Tripoli, the group swam to board the vessel, as reported to the family.

On the morning of 4 October 2024, the families of the passengers received text messages claiming that the group had safely arrived in Malta. However, they could not verify this information or contact the passengers further. Concerned about their whereabouts, the families contacted SOS Mediterranean and the Libyan, Italian, and Maltese Coast Guards. Despite their efforts, no reports of drowning or recovered bodies surfaced after a month.

On 11 October 2024, a detainee in Tajoura Prison in Libya claimed to have recognized AbdulHamid Khateeb, noting that his hair and beard were longer. Since then, Khateeb’s family, along with the families of the other passengers, have had no information about their whereabouts.

On 22 October 2024, the families reached out to the Red Cross in Syria for assistance, but no progress was made.

On 9 January 2025, Cedar Centre for Legal Studies (CCLS) submitted an urgent appeal to the Working Group on Enforced Disappearance, listing 17 individuals, including Khateeb, among the 45 missing passengers. The Centre gathered information about these individuals and urged the Libyan authorities and neighboring countries to disclose any information regarding the missing persons. The families are desperate for answers, and time is of the essence.

The Missing Individuals

The missing individuals included:

1. AbdulHamid Ghassan Khateeb (Syria)
2. Safwan Mustafa Taqo (Syria)
3. Mohamad nour Riyad Taqo (Syria)
4. Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Ghareibi (Syria)
5. Mohamad Ashraf Al-Houshan (Syria)
6. Youssef Mouayed Al-Houshan (Syria)
7. Rayan Ahmad Abdul-Rahman (Syria)
8. Nour El-din Ahmad Abdul-Rahman (Syria)
9. Rafif Mustafa Ismail Agha (Women/Syria)
10. Mohamad Khattab Al-Khatab (Syria)
11. Yamen Issam Al-Aamer (Syria)
12. Bouchra Ayman Debra (Women/Syria)
13. Mohmad wael Ghassan Dawood (Syria)
14. Mohamad Majed Mohammad Jihad Othman (Syria)
15. Ahmad Hassan Al-Sweidani (Syria)
16. Fadi Nidal Al-Masri (Syria)
17. Mohamad Abd El-Ma’een Masalkhi (Syria)

Conclusion:

The 45 individuals, including AbdulHamid Khateeb, were part of a group of passengers who went missing after boarding a boat in Tripoli on 1 October 2024. Despite relentless efforts by their families, including Mr. Khateeb’s, no information has been disclosed about their fate. The Cedar Centre for Legal Studies (CCLS) has played a vital role in gathering information and advocating for accountability from the Libyan authorities.

Libyan authorities must urgently disclose the whereabouts of the missing individuals and conduct transparent investigations into allegations of enforced disappearances and torture. On 21 July, UN experts expressed grave concern over the situation of migrants and refugees in Libya, highlighting cases of detention, torture, and enforced disappearances. These alarming violations demand immediate international attention and action.

Irregular migration from Lebanon and neighboring countries continues to rise, driven by socio-economic hardships and political instability. The Mediterranean route poses extreme risks, underscoring the need for coordinated regional and international efforts to protect migrants and address the root causes of such perilous journeys.

Families of the missing deserve answers, justice, and accountability. Regional and international stakeholders must act urgently to prevent further tragedies, uphold human rights, and ensure the dignity and safety of all migrants.