Egypt Halts Full Asia 1 Aid Delivery to Gaza - Zahhar calls for more siege-busting convoys

Egypt Halts Full Asia 1 Aid Delivery to Gaza

06/01/2011 Egypt has imposed heavy restrictions on an Asian aid convoy, which is seeking to break a crippling Israeli blockade on the impoverished Gaza Strip.

Egyptian authorities have prevented some convoy members, including Iranians and some Jordanians, from crossing into the besieged Palestinian territory and have refused to allow the convoy, which is worth some 1 million dollars of aid, to be delivered to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.

According to a Press TV correspondent in the region, the Egyptian authorities have demanded a certain amount of money to allow the convoy's humanitarian cargo, which is currently stuck at the Egyptian port of el-Arish, to be delivered to Gaza.

The activists also told Press TV that during their stay in Egypt, the authorities had stopped them on several occasions, asking them for money.

Cairo says the humanitarian cargo, including medicine, food and toys, will be delivered to “Israel” and that the relief supplies will enter Gaza through “Israel”.

Egypt also barred Iranian supplies, among them ten power generators for hospitals, from entering the besieged strip, reported Press TV.

Palestinians have frequently accused Cairo of collaborating with Tel Aviv to increase pressure on Gaza by refusing to allow aid convoys to reach the region.

The Asian aid convoy -- dubbed Asia to Gaza Solidarity Caravan or Asia 1 -- with 160 activists of 18 different nationalities, has traveled through Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Lebanon. It was forced to remain in Syria for a week, awaiting Cairo's authorization to dock at its northeastern port of el-Arish.


Zahhar calls for more siege-busting convoys

[ 06/01/2011 - 09:24 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Political bureau member of Hamas Dr. Mahmuod Al-Zahhar has called for more solidarity and aid convoys to the Gaza Strip in a bid to completely end the Israeli siege on the coastal enclave.

Zahhar told members of the Asia 1 convoy in a meeting on Wednesday to keep up the good work and to activate their peoples into more solidarity acts with Gaza. "Continue to send convoys until the oppressive siege is lifted," he added.

The Hamas leader appreciated the solidarity activists for insisting on crossing this long distance to stand alongside the besieged Palestinians. He briefed the activists on the Israeli crimes and murders against the Palestinians.

He said that the Palestinian people would remain strong and resolute thanks to "Almighty Allah, their steadfastness then to the backing of free people like you".

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