(Photo from http://www.vivapalestina-us.org/)
Viva Palestina, a convoy of US human rights activists has entered Gaza with truckloads of humanitarian aid. The delegation has over 200 people, and is a follow up trip to one led by British MP George Galloway last March. This delegation includes Vietnam vet Ron Kovic, New York City Council member Charles Barron and Cynthia McKinney.
Details are still unclear on how much aid got in. Although Viva Palestina's website reports that they had over "over one million dollars worth of aide" to bring in, Egypt may not have allowed all of it to enter. As has happened on other delegations to Gaza, Egypt created serious obstacles for the convoy as it attempted to enter Gaza, but they got through.
Presstv is reporting that the convoy is only allowed to stay in Gaza for 24 hours, so it might be a short stay. Regardless, the siege has been broken – if only for a day.
Update - The International Middle East Media Center is reporting that no aid was allowed in Gaza. From the IMEMC:
The Egyptian Authorities stopped trucks of the Viva Palestina aid convoy from entering the Gaza Strip and allowed the crew 24 hours access.
The Palestinian Information Center reported that the crew will be allowed into the Gaza Strip for only 24 hours and the aid supplies will stay at the Egyptian side of the borders.
The Viva Palestina arrived to Egypt on Sunday. On Monday, the caravan members were met by British MP George Galloway, who organized the aid campaign, and US former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who was deported from Israel last Wednesday while attempting to bring several tons of aid to Gaza by boat.
The convoy of humanitarian aid from the U.S includes 47 vehicles, tons of medical supplies, and 120 caravan participants.
Update – Here is a Presstv report showing the convoy entering Gaza. George Galloway says that they were forced to leave more than half of the aid behind in Egypt:
