Zionist Mu-barack blocks relief convoy to Gaza

Egyptian authorities block a 39-person solidarity convoy carrying medical aid to Gaza and permit only 16 of them to cross the border.

The organizers of the European Hope for Gaza Convoy refused Egypt’s offer to allow only part of the group into Gaza, insisting that all 39 members cross, according to Ahmad Al-Kurd, the minister of social affairs in the Gaza government.

Al-Kurd told reporters at the main gate of the Rafah crossing that although Egypt had given assurances to the Palestinian side that the whole convoy will be given access to the Strip, they have changed their decision at the last moment, granting entry to only 16 people.

One of the convoy members said that the number of people permitted to enter is insufficient and would not enable Gaza hospitals to treat the patients, especially those injured during the 22-day Israeli assault earlier in the year.

Nearly 160 peace activists and workers of non-governmental organizations from different European countries were about to enter Gaza after the Egyptian authorities stamped their passports, but then were not allowed through.

The group of volunteers and European members of parliament said they were bringing 12 ambulances, wheelchairs, some 30 truckloads of medical supplies worth more than USD 47,000, and a kidney dialysis machine, in addition to advance computer programs for the blind in Gaza.

Another member stated that that there are patients who were wounded during the war, and others who suffer from chronic diseases, and that hundreds of patients in Gaza are in urgent need of medical aid.

Gaza has been under an Israeli-led land and sea blockade since June 2007.

Egypt has also maintained a near complete closure of Gaza, opening the Rafah border only occasionally. PressTV