Egyptian officials have finally allowed about 20 solidarity activists into Gaza to deliver medical equipment, having left them stranded at the Rafah border for two days.
But Palestinian Rafah border chief Ghani Hamad said Egyptian authorities had prevented 19 others from getting through during Monday’s crossing.
Derry Sinn Fein councillor Gerry Mac-Lochlainn, who accompanied the Hope for Gaza Convoy, said the weary activists had handed over 25 ambulances, a kidney dialysis machine, wheelchairs and more than $47,000 (£29,535) worth of medicine paid for with money raised by charities and donations.
Egypt and Israel have enforced a strict blockade on Gaza since the democratically elected Hamas administration quashed a Western-backed coup bid by Fatah forces two years ago, allowing only limited amounts of humanitarian supplies in.
Medical equipment has been in especially short supply since Israel’s bloody offensive against Gaza ended in January.
Solidarity activist Arafat Madi condemned Egypt’s decision to block the 19 activists.
“It took us almost two months to prepare the convoy and the lorries and gather the desperately needed medical equipment,” Mr Madi stormed.
MPs from Italy, Greece, Ireland, Switzerland and Britain took part in the Hope for Gaza convoy, led by Italian senator Fernando Rossi.
Speaking in Gaza, Mr Rossi condemned the international community’s tolerance of Israel’s punishing blockade.
“Those who do not say ‘No’ to this siege and ‘No’ to this oppression in Gaza are against freedom for the Palestinian people,” he said.
Tags: blockade on Gaza, Egypt, Egypt and Israel, Gaza, Hope for Gaza Convoy, medical equipment, solidarity activists
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