CAIRO: Egyptian officials reported on Sunday that a convoy of food and aid from the United Arab Emirates has been given permission to enter the blockaded Gaza Strip. It comes as Palestinians continue to suffer economically due to the Israeli and Egyptian blockade on the small Mediterranean enclave. This means the 500 tons of flour, 150 tons of sugar and 10 tons of medical aid and equipment will be allowed to enter Gaza through the Rafah Border Crossing and the al-Auja terminal. Cairo has routinely kept the border closed and made aid convoys wait for days at the crossing, which has left some of the foodstuffs aimed at the 1.5 million Palestinians spoiled. Critiques say the government here in Cairo is attempting to appease the Israeli government by delaying transport. According to Hamas officials, the medical equipment will go through Rafah and the food will enter via the al-Auja crossing. The medical equipment is expected to enter through the Rafah crossing, while the food aid will be delivered through Al-Auja, in compliance with Egyptian procedure for the delivery of aid into the besieged coastal enclave, Palestinian news agency Ma'an's Egypt correspondent said in a report published on Sunday. BM