EL-ARISH - Egyptian authorities have given green light to an Asian aid convoy, comprising 150 activists and carrying more than 300 tonnes of food aid and other stuff to pass through Egypt's el-Arish port to the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, organizers of the convoy said Thursday. "We have been informed through the Egyptian Embassy in Damascus that 120 activists have been permitted to enter Egypt on their way to Gaza. However, other 46 activists from Iran and Jordan were blocked," said Kahled Abdel Meguid, a Palestinian MP accompanying the convoy. Abdel Meguid added that 10 generators donated by the Iranians to the people of the besieged Gaza Strip would not be allowed into the Strip. "This will decrease the size of the humanitarian aid convoy to below 300 tonnes. It will be limited to food and medical aid in addition to toys," said Abdel Meguid. The Asia to Gaza Caravan consists of approximately 160 people from more than 15 countries, including Iran, India, Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, New Zealand and Kuwait. It was scheduled to reach Gaza by December 27 in time for the second anniversary of Israel's 22-day war on the Gaza Strip that started on 28 December 2008. Approximately 1,400 Palestinians were killed and 5,000 injured or maimed in the three-week war. Half of Gaza's infrastructure was destroyed and remains unrepaired as a result of Israel's siege, which includes a ban on the entry of building materials into the Strip. "These activists travelled more than 7,000km in order to break the Israeli siege. They are carrying $1 million worth of aid supplies, including medicine, ambulances and solar generators for electricity," according to a statement issued earlier. "They are doing a great work," said Abdel Meguid. While some sources say the convoy is expected to reach el-Arish early next week, Abdel Meguid said the date of arrival had yet to be set.
