Egypt Places New Preconditions For Allowing Artery of Life Into Gaza

Wednesday October 13, 2010 14:45 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Zaher Beerawi, spokesperson of the Artery of Life 5 flotilla, which is attempting to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip, said that Egypt backpedaled on what it previously vowed, and placed new preconditions on allowing the convoy into Gaza.

Zaher Beerawi

The Egyptian Authorities announced that vehicles being transported to Gaza and certain convoy members will not be allowed through.

Beerawi added that convoy organizers were willing to adhere to the Egyptian demand of preventing British MP, George Galloway, from entering the country, but now Egypt is placing further demands and preconditions.

Flotilla activists said that they received an initial but unofficial approval from Egypt to enter Gaza, but refused to confirm or deny receiving a conditional Egyptian green light.

Cairo still rejects the entry of certain medications and big trucks loaded with supplies. In addition, Cairo rejected allowing Galloway and two other convoy members into Egypt.

Furthermore, a number of activists declared Tuesday that they will hold a hunger strike on Wednesday to protest Egypt’s preconditions.

They said that several protests will be held in European and Arab countries in order to demand that Egypt facilitate the entry of the Flotilla into Gaza in order to send the medical and aid supplies to the besieged and impoverished coastal region.

arab world | gaza siege | news report saed at imemc dot org