Gaza-bound humanitarian aid mission forced to overnight in Ismailia

The 1Malaysia Putera Club (KP1M) humanitarian aid mission to Gaza which was scheduled to enter the war-torn strip Saturday evening, was forced to stay overnight here as the cargo of food and medical supplies was unable to catch up with the rest of the convoy due to technical reasons in Cairo.

Based on initial plan, the group of 83 participants was to head up first to the Rafah border to save some time and the cargo - which only got its release approval late Friday - was to catch up with the team after all 10 metric tonnes (of the cargo) were unloaded into a container.

However, upon arrival here about 4pm local time, the trip needed to be re-planned since the cargo was still stranded behind. Moreover, the situation upfront in the journey, among others included a curfew order which began at 6pm in the North Sinai.

The team which includes participants from Mercy Malaysia and the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisation (Mapim) is expected to leave again for the Rafah border, about 300km from here, Sunday morning.

The mission led by KP1M president Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim is hoping to distribute 5,000 boxes of food supplies to the Palestinians, as well as provide medical aid to those injured.

Almost 2,000 Palestinians have been killed in attacks by the Israelis in Gaza since last July 8.

Last Wednesday, international news agencies reported that Israel and Palestine had agreed to extend their ceasefire for five days.