Sunday May 24, 2009 23:46
by Saed Bannoura – IMEMC & Agencies 
The Egyptian Authorities blocked on Sunday the European Hope Convoy, filled with medical aid, from crossing into the Gaza Strip despite all preparations and calls on Egypt to facilitate the entry of the convoy into the besieged and impoverished coastal region.
The Egyptian authorities only allowed some members of the convoy and some said to cross into Gaza , but the European Campaign to End the Siege said that is insufficient and would not enable Gaza hospitals to treat the patients, especially those injured during the three-week Israel offensive earlier this 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.
Gerry MacLauchlan, a member of the Derry City Council in Ireland, stated that the convoy was transferring 12 ambulances, wheelchairs, medicine worth more than $47.000, and a kidney dialysis machine, in addition to advance computer programs for the blind.
MacLauchlan added 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 for medical aid.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Al Kurd, Minister of Social Affairs at the dissolved government in Gaza, demanded the Egyptian Authorities to allow the convoy to enter Gaza.
AL Kurd added that the Egyptian Authorities only allowed 16 members of the Hope Convoy to enter Gaza, but the participants refused and demanded Egypt to allow all of the members and the aid they carry to enter the Gaza Strip and deliver the supplies.
160 figures and activists are part of the aid convoy which consists of 40 aid trucks. The equipment, ambulances and other medical necessities were donated by nongovernmental organization in Europe and individual donations.
Tags: Egypt, Gaza, medical aid blocked
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