A Jordanian aid convoy arrived in Syria on Monday to join the Viva Palestina 5 solidarity mission that is heading to the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid and medical supplies. The Viva Palestina 5 convoy arrived in Syria two days ago and started preparations to sail to Egypt before heading to Gaza by land.
Maisara Malas, member of the Jordanian group, stated that the convoy is loaded with medical supplies, with 60 vehicles from Jordan, 12 vehicles from different Arab Gulf countries, and 138 human rights supporters, including 23 from Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Maisara said that the convoy will be sailing to the Egyptian port of al-Arish on Tuesday before heading by land to Rafah, in order to challenge the Israeli siege and deliver the supplies.
Viva Palestina 5 started its trip last month after an official ceremony held in front of the British House of Commons. It arrived in Turkey on September 27th and then sailed to al-Lathiqiya Port in Syria.
British MP, George Galloway, is heading the flotilla although it remains unclear whether Egypt will allow him into its territories following his deportation from Egypt earlier this year, during the Viva Palestina 4 convoy. Since then he has been considered a “Persona non grata”.
Galloway is considered a leading figure of the Viva Palestina group that managed to organize a series of aid convoys to Gaza.
Egypt claims that Viva Palestina supporters had been involved in clashes with Egyptian security forces and policemen near the border with Gaza.
As the leader of the convoy, Galloway is being accused by Egypt of incitement, especially after he voiced harsh criticisms of the Egyptian government for its role in the Israeli-led siege on Gaza.
