A Jordanian relief mission plans to send a convoy of 30 vehicles to the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli-imposed blockade for more than three years.
"More than 150 people and 30 vehicles with aid, medicines and clothes will leave Amman for Gaza on Tuesday morning," Wael Saqqa, head of the Jordan Engineers Association, told AFP on Sunday.
Composed of trade union members and human rights campaigners, the convoy heads for the beleaguered sliver, more than a month after Israeli commandos attacked the Freedom Flotilla, a Gaza-bound aid convoy, killing nine Turkish activists.
They would try to reach Gaza through the Egyptian port of El-Arish.
"We seek to break the unjust blockade. We will go to El-Arish and push hard to get into Gaza, in case the Egyptian authorities deny us entry," Saqqa added. "We are determined to go ahead with our plans no matter what."
In January, the Egyptian riot police injured 55 people in the port during clashes with the high-profile Viva Palestina activists who were led by the former British lawmaker, George Galloway. Cairo then banned all Gaza-bound relief convoys from using its territory after accusing members of the Viva Palestina mission of committing “criminal” acts in the country.
Egypt as well prevented a group of Jordanian trade unionists from entering Gaza last month, claiming they had not notified the authorities in advance.
Following the international outcry raised due to the recent massacre of activists, Tel Aviv said it would ease the land blockade while keeping the naval surveillance strictly in order.
Palestinians, however, say the situation inside the impoverished Gaza Strip has not improved, confirming that the restrictions continue to deprive 1.5 million Gazans of food, fuel and other necessities.
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River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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